Parallel-Flow Rapid-Action Valve for Stable Extinguishing Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick-opening valves in fire extinguishing fluid containers often cause lateral movement or tipping due to the angled orientation of the extinguishing fluid inlet and outlet, posing safety hazards and operational instability.
Innovation Solution
The quick-opening valve is designed with the fire extinguishing fluid inlet and outlet oriented essentially parallel or coaxially, featuring a restoring mechanism, a differential pressure piston, and a flow-optimized piston housing to minimize pressure loss and ensure stable fluid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the extinguishing fluid inlet and outlet are arranged at a right angle to each other, then the valve structure is compact and easy to manufacture, but lateral impulse is exerted on the reservoir causing movement or tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the conventional right-angle arrangement of inlet and outlet to a parallel/coaxial arrangement. This asymmetric modification eliminates the lateral impulse that causes container instability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard valve body design adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accepting the conventional right-angle configuration, the patent inverts the approach by arranging the inlet and outlet parallel to each other. This inversion fundamentally changes the fluid flow direction relationship, eliminating the harmful lateral impulse while preserving the quick-opening function.
2Speed
If the valve piston is moved quickly from closed to release position, then rapid fluid discharge is achieved, but turbulence and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by optimizing the valve piston movement characteristics and flow chamber geometry to manage the transition from closed to release position. The design allows rapid opening while controlling turbulence through streamlined flow paths and optimized piston surface areas, reducing energy loss despite high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the piston head surface area relative to the piston rod surface area (differential pressure piston design). This parameter optimization enables rapid displacement while managing pressure differentials to minimize turbulence and energy loss during the quick-opening action.
3Force
If a differential pressure piston design is used, then restoring force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the restoring force mechanism with the differential pressure piston design itself. The unequal surface areas of the piston head and piston rod create the restoring force through pressure differential, eliminating the need for separate springs or weights. This integration improves restoring force while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential pressure piston design is self-service in that it generates its own restoring force through the pressure differential created during operation. The larger piston head surface area automatically provides the restoring force when pressure equalizes, without requiring external restoring mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design stabilizes the fire extinguishing fluid container by preventing uncontrolled swirling or lateral movement, ensuring rapid and controlled fluid application with minimal turbulence and pressure loss, while incorporating safety features like overpressure relief to prevent environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the valve piston is designed as a differential pressure piston... the valve piston has a first piston surface facing the extinguishing fluid inlet and a second piston surface facing away from the extinguishing fluid inlet, which is larger than the first surface
Implementation Method 2
the preferably provided restoring means comprises a spring, in particular a pre-tensioned spring
Implementation Method 3
the fire extinguishing fluid exiting the quick-opening valve does not generate a lateral momentum relative to the longitudinal axis of the fire extinguishing fluid container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rapid-action valve for a pressurized extinguishing fluid container, the valve comprising an extinguishing fluid inlet (4), an extinguishing fluid outlet (5), a flow chamber extending from the extinguishing fluid inlet (4) to the extinguishing fluid outlet (5), a valve piston (12), and a valve seat (10). The valve piston can be moved back and forth between a release position and a locking position such that the valve piston (12) and the valve seat (10) lie fluid-tight against one another in the locking position and are spaced apart from one another in the release position, so that the extinguishing fluid inlet (4) and the extinguishing fluid outlet (5) are fluidically interconnected. According to the invention, the extinguishing fluid inlet (4) and the extinguishing fluid outlet (5) are oriented substantially parallel to one another.