Pressure Relief Valve Trigger Geometry to Prevent Rapid Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure relief valves oscillate rapidly between open and closed states due to the same set pressure for opening and closing, causing damage to the system and the valve, and lack the ability to adjust these pressures easily.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve with a trigger mechanism featuring chamfered tines and a spring mechanism that opens at a higher set pressure than closes, utilizing a secondary surface interaction to maintain the open position, and allowing adjustable tine geometry for varying trigger pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the valve uses a single set pressure for both opening and closing, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve rapidly cycles between open and closed states causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed stop is segmented into multiple surfaces (first surface at 45 degrees and second surface at 15 degrees) that interact with different surfaces of the tine. This segmentation allows the valve to have different opening and closing pressures, preventing rapid cycling while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the valve has fixed opening and closing pressures, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve cannot adapt to different system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tine is designed as a flexible, movable component that can be replaced with different geometries. By changing the tine's dimensions, material properties, or angular orientation, the valve's opening and closing pressures can be adjusted to match different system requirements while keeping the overall mechanism simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve allows adjustment of critical parameters such as the tine's length, thickness, material modulus, and angular orientation. These parameter changes directly affect the forces involved in opening and closing the valve, enabling adaptation to different pressure requirements without complex control systems.
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
Prevents rapid cycling by maintaining a pressure differential between opening and closing, allowing for adjustable set pressures to prevent oscillation and enhance system safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
There is a spring mechanism which biases the ejector towards the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The valve opens when the force on the ejector from the contained fluid exceeds the force of the spring plus the force necessary to move the tines out of alignment with the fixed stop
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief valve with a trigger mechanism having a plurality of tines on the ejector which engage with a fixed stop. The tine ends and/or the fixed stop are chamfered. The valve opens when the force from the contained fluid exceeds the force of the spring plus the force necessary to move the tines out of alignment with the fixed stop. The trigger pressure of the valve can be adjusted by adjusting the geometry of the tines. This is accomplished by using interchangeable tine sections on the ejector. Pressure is contained by a primary seal located on the outer diameter of the ejector.