Solenoid Valve Relief Assembly for Power-Off Overpressure Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solenoid valves lack an integral pressure relief mechanism, leading to potential damage from sudden rises in fluidic pressure, necessitating separate pressure relief valves that increase costs and reduce system reliability, especially when the electrical supply is disrupted.

Innovation Solution

A solenoid valve with an integrated pressure relief arrangement, featuring a dual valve assembly and a secondary moving assembly with a pressure-relief spring and adjustable mechanism, which activates to release excessive fluid pressure even without electrical signal, ensuring safety and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate pressure relief valve is deployed to control excessive fluid pressure, then system safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure relief function with the solenoid valve body by integrating a relief passage and relief opening directly into the valve structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate pressure relief valve, reducing device complexity while maintaining safety functionality. The relief passage (306) and relief opening (304) are formed within the valve body itself, creating a unified component that performs both flow control and pressure relief.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid valve is designed to perform multiple functions: normal fluid flow control and excessive pressure relief. The dual valve assembly enables the valve to switch between these functions based on operating conditions. When excessive pressure occurs, the relief opening activates to discharge fluid, providing a universal safety mechanism that works whether the solenoid is energized or de-energized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate pressure relief valve is deployed to release excessive fluid, then system reliability is improved, but maintenance cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the pressure relief function into the solenoid valve body, the patent eliminates the need for a separate relief valve that would require independent maintenance. The unified structure means fewer components to maintain, reducing maintenance cost and complexity while improving reliability through consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the solenoid valve is designed with integral pressure relief arrangement, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of relief passages and openings directly into the valve body during manufacturing creates a unified component. While this may require more sophisticated manufacturing processes for the valve body itself, it eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate relief valve components, potentially simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow and reducing assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated pressure relief mechanism effectively manages excessive fluid pressure, eliminating the need for separate safety valves, ensuring system safety and reliability, and allowing for adjustable pressure settings and reverse fluid flow handling.

Implementation Method 1

When the solenoid coil is energised by electricity. When the solenoid coil is energised, a magnetic field is created causing a plunger to linearly move

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The secondary moving assembly comprises a sliding member, a supporting ring, a pressure-relief spring and a pressure-adjusting mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3480500B1Solenoid valve with integral pressure relief arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 ROTEX AUTOMATION LTD
  • EP3480500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480500B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3480500B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A solenoid valve (100) comprising a solenoid assembly (104) and a dual valve assembly (102) for fluid flow control and pressure relief. The dual valve assembly (102) comprising a valve body, upper stopper ring and a lower stopper ring. A flow arrangement (200) comprising, a primary moving assembly and a secondary moving assembly is disposed inside the valve body. The primary moving assembly having a primary mover and an O-ring holder. The secondary moving assembly comprising a sliding member, a supporting ring, a pressure-relief spring and a pressure-adjusting mechanism. The flow arrangement (200) moves up when a solenoid coil (103) is energized resulting in normal fluid flow, the secondary moving assembly moves down under excessive fluid pressure with the solenoid coil (103) de-energized. A reverse fluid flow is facilitated under excessive fluid pressure.