Pilot Relief Valve Bypass for Faster Dome Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pilot-operated relief valves experience slow dome pressurization during initial loading or reloading due to restricted flow paths, leading to pressure lag and undesirable effects like water hammers and unwanted venting.
Innovation Solution
A bypass flow path with a bypass valve that automatically opens to provide a high-capacity connection between the pressure source and the main valve dome, parallel to the pilot valve flow path, allowing faster dome pressurization within specific pressure ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a restricted flow path through the pilot valve is used for dome pressurization, then the valve maintains proper control and stability during run-time operation, but the dome pressurization speed is slow during initial loading or reloading
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple pathways: a restricted flow path through the pilot valve for controlled operation, and a separate bypass flow path for rapid pressurization. This segmentation allows each path to serve its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass valve acts as an intermediary component that controls the bypass flow path. It mediates between the need for rapid pressurization and the need for controlled operation by opening during initial loading and closing during run-time operation.
2Reliability
If a restricted flow path through the pilot valve is used, then the valve operation is stable and controlled, but pressure lag occurs causing water hammers and unwanted venting
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve opens in advance during initial loading to establish rapid pressurization before the restricted flow path would cause significant pressure lag. This preliminary action prevents the development of harmful pressure differences that lead to water hammers and unwanted venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flow path provides continuous rapid pressurization during the initial loading phase, ensuring the dome pressure continuously tracks the inlet pressure without lag. This continuous action eliminates the intermittent pressure differences that cause water hammers.
3Productivity
If a bypass flow path is added for rapid dome pressurization, then the loading speed improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path is merged with the existing pilot valve assembly, sharing common components such as the valve body and dome. This merging allows the bypass functionality to be added without completely redesigning the valve structure, thus limiting the increase in complexity.
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
The bypass flow path enables quicker dome pressurization, reducing pressure lag and associated adverse effects, while maintaining restricted flow paths for run-time operation, thus improving the loading speed and reliability of the relief valve.
Implementation Method 1
The bypass valve can be configured to open the bypass flow path to flow between the pressure source and the dome over a first range of pressures at the pressure source or the dome
Implementation Method 2
to close the bypass flow path to flow between the pressure source and the dome over a second range of pressures at the pressure source or the dome
Data Source
AI summary
A flow arrangement for a pressure relief valve assembly can include a bypass flow path extending from a pressure source to a dome of a relief valve. The bypass flow path can include a valve that is configured to open and close the bypass flow path based on pressure at the pressure source or the dome, or a pressure difference between the pressure source and the dome.