Pressure Regulation Valve Throttle Safety Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pressure control devices can experience functional impairments or dangerous situations due to malfunctions that prevent the first closure element from closing correctly, leading to unintended fluid supply to the secondary connection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a throttle member on the actuating element that narrows the flow cross-section between the primary and secondary connections when the first closure element is supposed to be closed, and using pressure monitoring to detect malfunctions, allowing for immediate action to prevent consequential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure control valve with closure elements is used to control fluid supply, then the secondary pressure can be regulated, but malfunctions may occur that prevent proper closing leading to dangerous situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of closure elementVSAvoiduncontrolled fluid supply
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A throttle member is integrated into the actuating element that narrows the flow cross-section to a throttle gap when the first closure element fails to close properly. This pre-prepared safety mechanism limits the fluid throughput to a harmless level even if the primary closure fails, cushioning against the harmful effects before they can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The throttle member acts as an intermediary safety component between the primary closure element and the fluid flow. When the closure element malfunctions, the throttle member mediates by restricting the flow to a safe level, preventing the uncontrolled fluid supply that would otherwise occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If positional sensors are used to detect closure element position, then malfunction detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of closure element positionVSAvoidcomplexity of sensing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing secondary pressure as a self-service indicator of closure element position. When the closure element is properly closed, the secondary pressure drops to a residual level. When it fails to close, the pressure remains elevated. This eliminates the need for separate positional sensors, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the fluid pressure itself as the sensing mechanism. The secondary pressure, which is already present in the system for operational purposes, serves dual functions: controlling the closure element and indicating its position status. This pneumatic/hydraulic sensing approach replaces complex electrical or mechanical positional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution ensures a safe and controlled fluid supply by limiting the flow rate to a harmless level in case of malfunctions, enabling early detection and prevention of damage through pressure monitoring without the need for expensive positional sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the first closure member being resiliently prestressed in the direction of a closed position adjacent to the first valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the second closure member being resiliently prestressed in the direction of a closed position adjacent to the second valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

by influencing means of a control pressure to a control movement relative to the valve housing drivable actuating member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

has a throttle position in which it narrows a flow cross section between the primary connection and the secondary connection to a throttle gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling effect: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP2592519B1Pressure regulation device and method for operating a pressure regulation device
Publication Date: 2014.04.30 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP2592519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pressure regulating device (1) is proposed, comprising a pressure regulating valve (2) with a valve body (5) and a control unit (38) movable relative to it. The control unit (38) includes an actuating element (42) movable by a control pressure and two first and second closing elements (27, 28) switchable by the actuating element (42), each spring-loaded into a closed position. The first closing element (27) controls the connection between a primary port (6) and a secondary port (7). A throttle element (76) is fixedly arranged on the actuating element (42), which is moved into a throttled position when the actuating element (42) is positioned such that the first closing element (27) is normally moved into its closed position.If the first locking element (27) is not moved into the closed position due to a fault, very little pressure medium flows to the secondary connection (7), so that consequential damage can be avoided.