Mechanical Pressure Valve With Bypass Channels for Low-Pressure Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical valves for pressure regulation in gas systems, such as medical equipment, lack precise control at low pressures, particularly in the range of 5 to 100 mbar, due to the imprecision of spring-loaded valves.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical valve design incorporating a housing with a chamber, a seat, an elastomeric sealing ring, and a moveable valve element that can transition between closed and open positions, featuring bypass channels to reduce hysteresis and instability, along with adjustable components like weights and springs for enhanced precision and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spring loaded valves are used for pressure regulation, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressure control precision is insufficient especially at low pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional components: a valve body, a movable valve element (ball or disk), a separate sealing ring, and bypass channels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall pressure control precision while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomeric or polymer sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary between the valve element and the seat. This sealing ring enhances the sealing capability and pressure control precision at low pressures without requiring complex valve structures, effectively mediating between the simple mechanical components and the precision control requirement.
2Measurement precision
If bypass channels are added to the valve chamber, then hysteresis and instability are reduced improving control precision, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented with dedicated bypass channels that are integrated into the valve body structure. These channels provide alternative flow paths that reduce hysteresis and instability, improving pressure control precision while the integration approach minimizes the increase in overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If a body of revolution sealing surface is used on the valve element, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface of the valve element is designed as a body of revolution (spherical or conical shape). This geometric parameter change improves sealing reliability by ensuring uniform contact with the sealing ring across varying pressure conditions, while the standardized geometric forms facilitate manufacturing within acceptable precision tolerances.
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 valve achieves precise pressure control within a predetermined tolerance at both low and high flow rates, maintaining setpoints with high accuracy and reliability, outperforming prior art systems by maintaining pressure within ±10% of the setpoint across a 100:1 flow range.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric or polymer sealing ring disposed in the seat
Implementation Method 2
at least one bypass channel defined in the chamber, arranged to communicate between the seat and the exhaust port when the valve element is in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes: a housing defining a chamber communicating with an inlet port and an exhaust port, a seat disposed in the housing between the inlet port and the exhaust port; an elastomeric or polymer sealing ring disposed in the seat; a valve element having a sealing surface that is a body of revolution, the valve element positioned in the housing such that it is moveable between a closed position in which the sealing surface is engaged with the sealing ring and an open position in which the sealing surface is disengaged from sealing ring; and at least one bypass channel defined in the chamber, arranged to communicate between the seat and the exhaust port when the valve element is in the open position.