Pressure Relief Connector for Diaphragm Noise and Valve Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Respiratory gas supply systems face challenges with noise and instability due to diaphragm oscillations in pressure relief valves, which affect the stability and hysteresis of the valve, particularly when the diaphragm lifts from the valve seat, leading to increased noise and lag time in flow restoration after blockages.

Innovation Solution

A connector design with a flow restriction and access passage that senses pressure, featuring sealing mechanisms and alignment features to stabilize the diaphragm, reducing oscillations and enhancing the stability and noise reduction of pressure relief valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a diaphragm is used in a pressure relief valve, then the valve can provide pressure relief functionality, but the diaphragm is susceptible to oscillations causing noise and decreased stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve stabilityVSAvoiddiaphragm oscillations and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping member is introduced as an intermediary element between the diaphragm and the valve seat. This damping member absorbs and dissipates the oscillatory energy of the diaphragm, reducing the harmful vibrations and noise while maintaining the pressure relief functionality. The damping member acts as a mediator that decouples the direct transmission of oscillations from the diaphragm to the valve seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillatory motion of the diaphragm, which was previously harmful causing noise and instability, is converted into a beneficial damping effect. The damping member is specifically designed to utilize the oscillatory energy to activate its damping properties, transforming the harmful vibrations into controlled energy dissipation that stabilizes the valve operation and reduces noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If the diaphragm lifts from the valve seat during operation, then pressure relief can occur, but oscillations increase leading to higher noise levels and reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief operationVSAvoidoscillations and noise during valve lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member serves as an intermediary between the diaphragm and valve seat, particularly effective during the valve lifting phase. When the diaphragm lifts to allow pressure relief, the damping member maintains contact and provides continuous damping, preventing excessive oscillations during the transition and open states of the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-positioned between the diaphragm and valve seat. Before oscillations can build up to harmful levels during valve lifting, the damping member is already in place to absorb and dissipate the energy, cushioning the system against the development of large amplitude oscillations and associated noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If oscillations are reduced to improve stability, then noise decreases, but the complexity of the valve assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and oscillationsVSAvoidvalve assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member is constructed from flexible damping material that can be formed as a thin film or shell conforming to the diaphragm or valve seat surface. This flexible construction provides effective oscillation damping while maintaining a simple, compact form factor that does not significantly increase the overall valve assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary. Its straightforward construction from common damping materials keeps the added complexity minimal while providing effective noise and vibration reduction throughout the service life of the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 connector design effectively reduces noise and instability in pressure relief valves by stabilizing the diaphragm, improving the valve's performance and reducing hysteresis, ensuring consistent and efficient gas flow.

Implementation Method 1

an access passage extending through the overlap portion to the gas flow passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

A connector design with a flow restriction and access passage that senses pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow restriction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

featuring sealing mechanisms and alignment features

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20220118209A1Pressure relief device and components therefor

Publication Date: 2022.04.21 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

A connector having a connector body with an inlet and an outlet defining a gas flow passage therebetween. The connector body has an overlap portion that is configured to overlap with a portion of a second connector when connected. An access passage extends through the overlap portion to the gas flow passage.