Pressure Regulator Fine-Tuning via Adjustable Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure regulators face challenges in accurately setting desired outlet pressures due to tolerance in elastic elements, resulting in significant differences between preset and desired pressures, especially when dealing with high-pressure gas sources.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator design featuring a main body, a piston, an elastic element, and an adjustable adjusting element that allows for fine-tuning of the preset outlet pressure by adjusting the position of the adjusting element, which influences the compressed length of the elastic element, thereby eliminating pressure differences through precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pressure regulators use fixed springs or elastic washers to preset outlet pressure, then the device structure is simple, but the pressure setting precision deteriorates due to tolerance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable element that converts the static spring pressure setting into a dynamic,可调 system. The adjustable element can be positioned at different locations along the piston rod, allowing the outlet pressure to be fine-tuned after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling precise pressure setting without requiring complex manufacturing tolerances on the elastic elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pressure setting from being fixed during manufacturing (spring selection) to being adjustable during operation (adjustable element position). By allowing the user to change the position of the adjustable element on the piston rod, the system can compensate for elastic element tolerance variations and achieve precise pressure settings without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manufacturers change springs or elastic washers to reduce pressure difference, then pressure precision may improve slightly, but the adjustment is cursory and cannot achieve fine-tuning, especially for high pressure gas sources
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable element enables the user to perform fine-tuning themselves without requiring manufacturer intervention or component replacement. The user can directly adjust the position of the adjustable element on the piston rod to achieve the desired pressure setting, making the system self-serviceable and eliminating the need for complex manufacturer reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable element transforms the pressure setting from a fixed, manufacturer-determined parameter to a dynamic, user-adjustable parameter. This allows continuous fine-tuning of the pressure setting by moving the adjustable element to different positions, providing precise control that cannot be achieved through discrete spring or washer changes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pressure regulators use discrete elastic elements with tolerance, then manufacturing is simple, but the preset outlet pressure differs significantly from desired pressure (over 100 psi difference)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure setting function into two independent parts: the elastic element provides the base pressure setting (simple manufacturing), while the adjustable element provides the fine-tuning capability (precise adjustment). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured simply while the combination achieves high precision, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and pressure setting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable element acts as an intermediary between the elastic element and the piston. It translates the rough pressure setting from the elastic element into a precise final pressure setting. This intermediary component allows the system to maintain simple manufacturing of individual parts while achieving high overall precision through the mediation of the adjustable element.
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 solution enables a more precise matching of preset and desired outlet pressures, reducing the pressure difference to as low as 10 psi, enhancing the regulator's accuracy and reliability across various pressure settings.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is mounted around the piston to urge the piston to move toward the outlet. When the outlet side pressure is set at the preset pressure, the elastic force of the spring is offset by the outlet side pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulator has a main body, a piston, an elastic element and an adjusting element. The main body has an inlet and an outlet. The piston is mounted movably between the inlet and the outlet. The elastic element is mounted in the main body to prepossess that the piston to move toward the outlet of the main body. The adjusting element is mounted adjustably in the main body and selectively abuts against the piston to selectively close a flow path from the inlet to the outlet. Adjusting the position of the adjusting element results influences the compressed length of the elastic element. Therefore, the preset outlet pressure is fine-tuned.