Pressure Relief Vent Assembly With Reusable Detent Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief assemblies lack reusability and fail to provide predictable and efficient pressure equalization while preventing contamination ingress, particularly in environments with varying pressure differentials.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief assembly with a spring-loaded detent mechanism that releases the valve body upon a minimum pressure differential, allowing for multiple deployments without mechanical degradation, and incorporates a vent system to prevent contamination while facilitating airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief assembly uses a traditional valve mechanism, then pressure relief function is achieved, but the assembly lacks reusability and cannot provide predictable pressure equalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic detent mechanism that transitions from a locked closed position to an open position in response to pressure differential. The detent is spring-loaded to provide a predictable release threshold, enabling the valve to dynamically adapt to pressure changes while maintaining reusability through controlled mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pressure differential as a changing parameter to trigger valve deployment. The spring-loaded detent is calibrated to release at a specific pressure threshold, providing predictable pressure equalization. This parameter-based control enables reliable operation across varying pressure conditions without mechanical degradation.
2Reliability
If the valve body is securely held to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the valve requires higher force to release reducing responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded detent mechanism employs a spring force that counterbalances the sealing force holding the valve body to the frame. This counterforce allows the valve to remain securely sealed under normal conditions while enabling rapid release when the pressure differential overcomes the spring force, achieving both effective sealing and fast response.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded during assembly to store potential energy that will be released when the pressure threshold is reached. This preliminary action ensures the valve is ready for immediate deployment without requiring additional activation force, maintaining both secure sealing and rapid release capability.
3Reliability
If the detent mechanism is made robust to ensure reliable release, then release reliability is improved, but the mechanism size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the release function into a dedicated spring-loaded detent mechanism that operates independently from the valve body structure. This separate, focused mechanism ensures reliable release through a simple spring-and-detent design, avoiding the need for complex multi-component systems while maintaining robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded detent mechanism is self-actuating, using the pressure differential itself to trigger the release. The spring automatically engages and disengages the detent based on pressure conditions, eliminating the need for external control systems, actuators, or complex timing mechanisms, thereby ensuring reliability with minimal complexity.
4Productivity
If the vent opening is kept open to allow airflow, then pressure equalization is improved, but contamination ingress occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening dynamically transitions between closed and open states based on pressure differential. The spring-loaded detent holds the valve body in a sealed closed position during normal operation, then automatically opens when pressure exceeds the spring force threshold. This dynamic behavior enables efficient pressure equalization while preventing contamination during sealed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure differential that could potentially force open the vent and allow contamination is converted into a beneficial trigger mechanism. The same pressure force that might cause harmful ingress is harnessed to reliably open the vent at the precise moment needed for pressure equalization, transforming a potential harm into a controlled beneficial action.
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
Enables reliable, reusable pressure equalization with predictable deployment and effective contamination prevention, suitable for environments with varying pressure differentials.
Implementation Method 1
A compression spring is disposed in the detent housing, where the compression spring extends from the first end towards the open second end. The compression spring is compressibly disposed between the detent engagement surface and the first end of the detent housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief assembly has a frame having a coupling structure, a valve mounting surface, a valve opening within the valve mounting surface, a vent mounting surface, and a vent opening within the vent mounting surface. The vent opening is functionally parallel to the valve opening. A valve body is sealably disposed on the valve mounting surface across the valve opening. A first detent releasably secures the valve body to the frame. The first detent is configured to release the valve body from the frame upon a minimum pressure differential across the valve opening. A vent is coupled to the vent mounting surface across the vent opening.