Pilot Valve Controlled Pressure Relief Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure relief valves often fail to maintain exact pressure control due to mechanical inaccuracies and wear over time, leading to premature opening or fluttering, which is critical in applications like pressurized fuel systems where precise pressure regulation is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A pilot valve controlled pressure relief valve system that includes a primary valve poppet and spring, along with a pilot valve, allowing for precise control of pressure equalization between internal and external spaces, ensuring accurate opening and closing at specified pressure thresholds, and self-resetting functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple spring-loaded poppet valve is used, then the device complexity is low, but the pressure control precision deteriorates due to mechanical inaccuracies and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A pilot valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control the main poppet valve. The pilot valve, being smaller and more precise, accurately senses pressure differential and controls when the main valve opens, thereby achieving precise pressure control without requiring the main valve mechanism to be highly precise.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical spring-loaded poppet system is replaced with a hybrid system where a pilot valve (which can be more precisely controlled) manages the opening/closing timing, reducing reliance on mechanical precision of the main poppet and spring assembly.
2Measurement precision
If a narrow range of operating pressures is used, then the pressure control precision can be high, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system dynamically adapts to varying pressure conditions through the pilot valve mechanism. The pilot valve responds to changing pressure differentials in real-time, allowing the system to maintain precise control across a wide range of operating pressures rather than being optimized for a single narrow range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the operating parameters (pressure differential, flow rate) to change within a wide range while maintaining control precision through the pilot valve's ability to sense and respond to parameter changes, adjusting its operation accordingly.
3Reliability
If the valve opens progressively at target pressure, then the pressure relief function is achieved, but the operational stability deteriorates due to fluttering and leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve creates a feedback mechanism where pressure differential is continuously sensed and used to control the main valve state. This feedback loop ensures the valve remains firmly closed until the precise opening pressure is reached, then opens fully and cleanly, preventing progressive opening, fluttering, and leaking.
4Measurement precision
If exact spring tensioning is used, then the pressure control precision improves, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to requiring very exact spring selection or tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve serves as an intermediary that takes over the precise pressure sensing and control function, allowing the main spring and poppet assembly to be manufactured with standard tolerances. The pilot valve's precise spring can be pre-calibrated, separating the precision requirement from the main valve assembly process.
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 system provides precise control of both positive and negative pressure differentials, reducing premature valve opening and fluttering, ensuring reliable operation in applications requiring exact pressure regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a primary valve poppet spring located within the valve compartment. The primary valve poppet spring can be configured to bias the primary valve poppet into a sealed position
Implementation Method 2
The relief valve can be configured to at least partially relieve a pressure differential between the first space and the second space
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein for relief valves (“relief valves”). A relief valve can include a flow path, a primary valve poppet that is urged or biased into a closed position by a tensioned spring, and a pilot valve in communication with a valve compartment of the relief valve. When an exterior space pressure overcomes the tensioned spring, the primary valve poppet can be overcome and pressure between an interior space and the exterior space can equalize, at least partially. When the pressure within the interior space increases beyond a defined threshold, which can be defined by a spring of the pilot valve, the pilot valve can open, the valve compartment can vent, and the tensioned spring again can be overcome and can open to allow at least partial equalization of pressures within the interior space and the exterior space.