Pressure Reducer Sealing Channels for Small Leak Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reducers struggle to detect small leaks downstream, as they cause minimal movement of the valve tappet, making detection difficult and effort-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The pressure reducer features a cylindrical or hollow cylindrical sealing surface with flow channels that adjust based on pressure changes, allowing for greater valve tappet movement when leaks occur, enabling easier detection through sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sealing surface design is used, then the valve tappet movement for small leaks is minimal, but this makes leak detection difficult and effort-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is designed with flow channels that extend in the radial direction, creating a new dimensional aspect for pressure equalization. This radial extension allows pressure changes to propagate through the sealing surface area, amplifying the valve tappet movement in the axial direction and making small leaks detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the sealing surface by extending flow channels radially and defining specific surface areas (first, second, third surface areas) with different pressure equalization characteristics. This parameter modification enables the system to translate small pressure changes from small leaks into larger, detectable valve tappet movements.
2Reliability
If the sealing element completely closes the flow area, then normal pressure regulation is maintained, but small leaks cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is segmented into multiple surface areas (first, second, third surface areas) with different flow channel configurations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete sealing for normal operation while providing dedicated pathways for pressure equalization that amplify movements caused by small leaks, enabling both reliable pressure regulation and leak detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial flow channels act as intermediaries between the sealing element and the valve tappet. They transmit and amplify the effect of small pressure changes from leaks into larger valve tappet movements, while maintaining the primary sealing function through the sealing element's contact with the sealing surface.
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 design allows for reliable and effortless detection of leaks by amplifying the valve tappet movement, even for small leaks, enhancing leak detection sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element rests on the sealing surface or, viewed in the radial direction, presses against the sealing surface and completely closes off a flow area between the sealing element and the sealing surface
Implementation Method 2
depending on a pressure loss prevailing in the back-pressure chamber, namely depending on a pressure change in the back-pressure chamber caused by a fluid leak or by regular fluid consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressure reducer (10), comprising: - a housing (11), which defines an upstream pressure chamber (13) and a downstream pressure chamber (14); - a valve (12), which is positioned in the housing (11), the valve (12) having a diaphragm (16) acting on a valve tappet (15), on which diaphragm a spring force of a spring element (17) directed in the opening direction of the valve (12) and a force dependent on a pressure in the downstream pressure chamber (14) and directed in the closing direction of the valve (12) act, and the valve (12) having a valve body (22), which is fastened to the valve tappet (15) and which cooperates with a sealing element (24). The valve body (22) has a cylindrical or hollow cylindrical or conical contour and thus forms a sealing surface (23) effective in the radial direction. The sealing surface (23) of the valve body (22) is interrupted at at least one circumferential position by means of a flow channel (26) in such a way that, depending on a pressure drop in the downstream pressure chamber (14), either the sealing element (24) lies against the sealing surface (23) and completely closes a flow region (25) between the sealing element (24) and the sealing surface (23) including the flow channel (26) in question, or the sealing element (24) is removed from the sealing surface (23) and completely opens the flow region (25) including the flow channel (26) in question, or the sealing element (24) lies against the sealing surface (23) and partly opens the flow region (25) exclusively by means of the flow channel (26) in question.