Pressure Regulator Travel Stop for Adjustable Flow Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators often require oversizing to meet desired capacity, leading to increased leakage and unnecessary costs due to larger pressure relief valves, as available sizes do not exactly match the required capacity, necessitating costly design work and iteration to reduce flow capacity.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating device with an adjustable travel stop that allows for varying the wide open flow capacity, enabling the device to be sized perfectly for specific applications, reducing the need for larger pressure relief valves and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a larger pressure regulator is selected to meet desired capacity, then the capacity requirement is satisfied, but leakage increases and pressure relief valve costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the travel stop adjustable rather than fixed. The travel stop can be repositioned along the valve stem to precisely control the valve opening degree, allowing the flow capacity to be dynamically adjusted to match the exact required capacity. This eliminates the need to select a larger regulator than necessary, thereby reducing leakage while maintaining the required flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by enabling adjustment of the travel stop position to precisely control the valve opening degree. This allows the flow capacity parameter to be tuned to match the exact required capacity, avoiding the need to oversize the regulator. The adjustable parameter (travel stop position) directly controls the relationship between valve opening and flow capacity, eliminating excess capacity that would cause leakage.
2Productivity
If a larger pressure regulator is selected to meet desired capacity, then the capacity requirement is satisfied, but pressure relief valve size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable travel stop allows the pressure regulator to be precisely sized for the required capacity, eliminating the need to select a larger regulator. This directly reduces the size and cost of the pressure relief valve needed, as the relief valve can be sized based on the actual regulated capacity rather than the maximum capacity of an oversized regulator.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the travel stop position, the flow capacity parameter can be precisely matched to requirements, avoiding oversizing. This enables the pressure relief valve to be sized appropriately for the actual capacity needs, reducing material costs and manufacturing expenses for the relief valve component.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If restriction collars or reduced valve port size are used to limit flow capacity, then leakage is reduced, but design work and iteration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable travel stop provides a straightforward mechanism to control flow capacity without requiring complex restriction collars or iterative design changes. The travel stop can be directly adjusted to achieve the desired flow capacity, eliminating the need for multiple design iterations and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve opening degree through adjustable travel stop positioning, providing a direct method to control flow capacity. This avoids the need for restriction collars or reduced valve port sizes that would require iterative design and testing, thereby reducing design complexity while achieving the same leakage reduction goal.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If restriction collars or reduced valve port size are used to limit flow capacity, then leakage is reduced, but design time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable travel stop allows flow capacity to be controlled through direct position adjustment rather than requiring iterative design and testing of restriction collars or port sizes. This significantly reduces the time and cost associated with design iterations while achieving the same leakage reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling adjustment of the travel stop position, the patent provides a direct method to control flow capacity without requiring iterative design processes. This eliminates time-consuming testing and iteration, reducing both design time and associated costs while effectively controlling leakage through precise flow capacity matching.
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 adjustable travel stop allows for precise sizing of pressure regulators, reducing leakage and costs associated with oversized pressure relief valves, while providing flexibility to adapt to changing conditions without the need for significant design or testing iterations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing element or diaphragm to sense an outlet pressure in fluid communication with a downstream pressure
Implementation Method 2
a closed position, wherein the control element sealingly engages the valve seat
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3
AI summary
A pressure regulating device including a valve body, an actuator assembly coupled to the valve body and including a diaphragm, a valve seat disposed in the valve body, a control assembly operatively connected to the diaphragm to move responsive to movement of the diaphragm, and a travel stop. The control assembly includes a control element that is movable, relative to the valve seat, between an open position, wherein the control element is spaced from the valve seat, and a closed position, wherein the control element sealingly engages the valve seat. The travel stop is configured to engage the control element to stop movement of the control element upon reaching the open position. The travel stop is adjustable to change the open position of the control element, such that a wide open flow capacity of the pressure regulating device can be adjusted.