Piston Pressure Regulator for X-Ray Coolant Vacuum Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art pressure regulators for X-ray apparatuses, particularly those with collapsible bladders, face challenges in maintaining pressure under vacuum conditions and are susceptible to damage, leading to issues in removing air from the coolant circuit and maintaining desired pressure levels amidst temperature and pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator with a piston housing and a reciprocating piston that defines a variable volume chamber, equipped with a circumferential groove seal for both static and dynamic states, and a locking pin for temporary fixation, ensuring fluid communication and maintaining internal pressure within acceptable limits by oscillating to compensate for thermal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a collapsible bladder is used in the pressure regulator, then the device can accommodate pressure changes, but fluid flow is prevented under vacuum conditions and the bladder is susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic collapsible bladder from the pressure regulator system. Instead of using a bladder to accommodate pressure changes, the patent employs a rigid piston mechanism that can handle pressure variations without the flow restriction and damage issues inherent to collapsible bladders under vacuum conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a seal member as an intermediary element between the piston and the housing bore. This seal member enables the piston to effectively transmit pressure forces and regulate pressure without requiring a collapsible bladder, thereby maintaining fluid flow capability while accommodating pressure changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a collapsible bladder is used in the pressure regulator, then the device can accommodate pressure changes, but the bladder is susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the vulnerable collapsible bladder from the pressure regulator system. The rigid piston mechanism replaces the bladder's pressure accommodation function without suffering from the bladder's susceptibility to damage, particularly under vacuum and high-pressure differential conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive and vulnerable bladder with a more durable, maintainable piston-seal assembly. While the seal member may require periodic replacement, the overall system gains significantly improved strength and reliability compared to relying on a collapsible bladder that is inherently susceptible to damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the piston is fixed in position, then the chamber volume remains constant, but pressure regulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic piston that can move axially within the housing bore to regulate pressure. The piston is free to reciprocate in response to pressure differential forces, dynamically adjusting the chamber volume to maintain pressure equilibrium between the circuit and ambient environment, thus enabling effective pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in chamber volume (a physical parameter) achieved through piston displacement to regulate pressure. As pressure in the circuit changes, the piston moves to adjust the chamber volume, thereby maintaining pressure balance. This parameter change mechanism enables the pressure regulation function.
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 solution effectively regulates pressure within the coolant circuit, maintaining it at ambient levels despite temperature fluctuations, preventing air ingress and ensuring the integrity of the coolant circuit, thus enhancing the operational stability and longevity of the X-ray apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
Large pressure differentials between the closed fluid circuit and its surrounding environment, which are caused by temperature and pressure changes. Large temperature and pressure changes can result from operation of the X-ray apparatus itself, or from shipment of the device at high altitude.
Implementation Method 2
A circumferential groove is formed in an exterior surface of the piston, and a seal is seated in the circumferential groove, which may perform in both static and dynamic states.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A pressure regulator for an x-ray apparatus includes a piston housing having a recess formed therein and a piston seated in the recess. The piston is free to reciprocate, and define a variable volume chamber, within the recess. A circumferential groove is formed in an exterior surface of the piston, and a seal is seated in the circumferential groove. A manifold in the piston housing places the chamber in fluid communication with an exterior of the piston housing.