Pressure Coupling Assembly With Sequential Valve Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic couplings face challenges in managing internal pressure during connection and disconnection, leading to potential damage and unsafe system events, especially in non-spill configurations where pressure isolation is difficult.
Innovation Solution
The enhanced coupling assembly employs a two-valve arrangement with a front valve and a back valve, spring-biased against each other, to maintain the back valve in a closed position during high pressure differentials, isolating the interface seal from high system pressures during connection and disconnection, and allowing fluid flow only when the pressure differential is reduced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct opening mechanism is used to open the back valve prior to full connection, then the interface seal can be isolated from high pressure, but the back valve is subjected to very high differential pressure requiring special design considerations and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve opening process into two stages: first the front valve opens to equalize pressure, then the back valve opens. This segmentation prevents the back valve from experiencing high differential pressure directly, eliminating the need for special design considerations and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The front valve performs a preliminary action by opening first to equalize pressure across the system before the back valve opens. This preliminary pressure equalization removes the harmful high differential pressure condition that would otherwise affect the back valve during opening.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional valves are added to isolate pressure from the interface seal, then protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing front and back valves multi-functional. The front valve not only controls fluid flow but also serves to equalize pressure before back valve opening. The back valve serves both as a flow control valve and as a pressure isolation valve during the connection sequence. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated pressure isolation valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pressure isolation function with the existing valve structure by using the sequential opening mechanism of the front and back valves. Rather than adding a separate pressure isolation valve, the function is merged into the existing valve operation sequence.
3Productivity
If the back valve is opened during high pressure differential, then connection speed is improved, but the separation forces increase and connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The front valve performs a preliminary pressure equalization action before the back valve opens. This reduces the pressure differential to a manageable level, thereby reducing the separation forces that would otherwise make connection difficult, while still maintaining relatively fast connection speed.
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
This configuration reduces separation forces required during connection and disconnection, protecting mechanical components and the interface seal from high pressure, enhancing the durability and safety of the coupling assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve and a second valve that are spring biased against each other
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly includes a nipple component and a coupler component that are connectable to each other to form a fluid flow pathway through the coupling assembly. The nipple component includes a nipple body that defines a chamber that receives a first valve and a second valve that are moveable within the chamber, and the first valve and the second valve are spring biased against each other by a spring loaded plunger of the first valve, and a second valve spring that biases the second valve in the closed position. During a connection operation and/or a disconnection operation, a balance of forces including the spring bias, in combination with system pressure, maintains the second valve in a closed position, thereby isolating the fluid flow from an area of the chamber in which components of the first valve reside, including isolating an interface seal from fluid flow.