Plate-Spring Pressure Reducing Valve With Shorter Axial Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-reducing valves are large in size, particularly in axial length, due to the use of helical compression springs that bias the valve body in the opening direction.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-reducing valve utilizing a laterally extending plate-shaped spring as a biasing member, which reduces the axial length by replacing the conventional helical compression spring, and incorporates an atmosphere chamber isolated from the secondary chamber to maintain atmospheric pressure and relieve excess secondary pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a helical compression spring is used to bias the valve body in the opening direction, then the valve body can be biased against secondary pressure, but the axial length of the pressure-reducing valve becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is changed from a helical compression spring (axial arrangement) to a plate-shaped spring extending in the radial direction. This dimensional change from axial to radial arrangement allows the biasing force to be generated without increasing the axial length, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient biasing force and maintaining compact axial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters and configuration of the biasing member from a helical spring structure to a plate-shaped spring structure. By altering the shape, orientation, and deployment direction of the spring, the same biasing function is achieved with a different spatial arrangement that eliminates the axial length penalty.
2Reliability
If the atmosphere chamber volume changes due to biasing member deformation or gas leaks in, then the atmospheric pressure cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve provides a feedback mechanism that monitors the secondary pressure and opens when the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. This feedback control allows the system to automatically relieve excess pressure that would otherwise deform the biasing member and change the atmosphere chamber volume, thereby maintaining atmospheric pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief valve is pre-configured with a predetermined opening pressure that acts as a safety threshold. Before excessive pressure can cause significant deformation of the biasing member or gas leakage into the atmosphere chamber, the relief valve opens to cushion and relieve the pressure, preventing the harmful effects from occurring.
3Force
If the secondary pressure exceeds set pressure without relief, then the biasing member experiences excessive load, but adding relief valve increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve is designed to automatically open when the secondary pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, without requiring external control or intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, or actuation mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively protecting the biasing member from excessive load.
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 valve is downsized by minimizing the axial length and component count, reducing manufacturing costs and sliding friction, while maintaining effective pressure regulation and relief functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body that is movably housed in the casing, receives a primary pressure in an opening direction in which the valve passage opens, and changes a position thereof according to a secondary pressure
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member that receives the secondary pressure, moves the valve body to a position corresponding to the secondary pressure received, and biases the valve body against the secondary pressure in the opening direction. The biasing member is a spring in the shape of a circular disc
Implementation Method 3
an atmosphere chamber isolated from the secondary chamber and the valve passage is formed on an opposite side of the biasing member from the secondary chamber in the casing. The atmosphere chamber is exposed to an atmosphere via a secondary-side passage of the relief valve
Implementation Method 4
a relief valve that relieves a secondary pressure of the pressure-reducing valve. When the secondary pressure exceeds a set pressure and the relief valve is actuated, a relief pressure which is the pressure on the secondary side can be brought to the atmosphere chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
This pressure-reducing valve includes: a casing in which a valve passage is formed; a valve body that is movably housed in the casing and changes a position thereof according to a secondary pressure to adjust an opening degree of the valve passage; and a biasing member that biases the valve body against the secondary pressure in an opening direction in which the valve passage opens. The biasing member is a spring in the form of a plate and extends laterally from the valve body.