Pressurized Fluid Valve Coupling for Progressive Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure fluid valves, particularly those with lever or rotary control mechanisms, risk sudden opening, leading to significant pressure peaks that can damage downstream equipment, including pressure regulators, and pose safety hazards, especially with combustion gases.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a coupling mechanism that synchronizes the displacement of the control member and actuator, allowing for gradual opening by reducing pressure speed and incorporating a locking mechanism to prevent untimely openings, ensuring a controlled and progressive valve operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual control member is provided for opening the valve, then the valve can be operated manually, but the risk of sudden opening increases leading to pressure peaks that can damage downstream equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening process is segmented into multiple stages through a two-stage opening mechanism. The first stage opens the valve to a limited extent (first opening section), and the second stage completes the opening (second opening section). This segmentation prevents sudden full opening and associated pressure peaks, while still allowing manual operation. The control member is divided into different functional zones that correspond to different opening stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is engaged in advance to prevent unintended opening. Before the valve can be opened, the locking mechanism must first be disengaged, which is a preliminary action that ensures controlled operation. This preliminary locking action prevents accidental activation and ensures that opening is always intentional and controlled.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent untimely opening, then safety against accidental opening is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the control member structure itself rather than being a separate independent system. The control member incorporates both the locking function and the opening control function in a unified structure. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the safety benefits of the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member serves multiple functions: it acts as both the opening actuator and the locking mechanism interface. The same control member that opens the valve also interacts with the locking mechanism to prevent unintended opening. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a two-stage opening mechanism is implemented, then pressure peaks are reduced and downstream equipment is protected, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening process is made dynamic and adaptive. The control member can be manipulated with varying force and speed depending on the desired outcome. The two-stage mechanism allows for a controlled progression that can be adjusted in speed, optimizing the balance between protection and operation time. The system responds dynamically to the operator's input rather than following a rigid fixed-time sequence.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
Valve for pressurized fluid comprising a circuit (3) having an assembly of valve shutter(s) (6, 7) comprising at least one shut-off valve shutter for closing or opening the circuit, a control member (8) for controlling the assembly of valve shutter(s), the control member being mounted on the body (2) with the ability to move between a rest position in which the assembly of valve shutter(s) is in a position in which the circuit is closed and an active position in which the control member actuates the assembly of valve shutter(s) into a position in which the circuit is open with a first bore section (S1), the valve (1) comprising a mechanism (9, 10) for locking the control member and comprising a manual actuator (9) mounted on the body with the ability to move between a first position for locking and a second position for unlocking of the control member; in its unlocking second position, the actuator actuates the assembly of valve shutter(s) into a position in which the circuit is open with a second bore section (S2), the valve comprising a mechanism (21) for coupling the movement of the control member and of the actuator when the control member is moved from its active position to its rest position and/or from its rest position to its active position, the coupling mechanism automatically moving the actuator when the control member is moved.