Pressure Relief Valve Control Using an Orifice Pressure Monitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid supply systems experience pressure oscillations due to pressure relief valve 'hunting' and changes in fluid flow rate, leading to instability and potential damage, as existing systems struggle to maintain a steady state mode effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply system incorporating a pressure sensor and a fluid monitoring device with specific orifice configurations and communication pathways to sense fluid pressure and control the pressure relief valve, utilizing reverse proportionality between fluid flow rate and pressure to stabilize the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief valve is used to maintain steady state fluid flow, then fluid pressure control is improved, but pressure oscillations and valve hunting occur leading to system instability
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid monitoring device with a control orifice is introduced as an intermediary between the fluid pump and pressure relief valve. This device creates a delayed pressure response that prevents the valve from reacting too quickly to pressure changes, thereby eliminating hunting behavior and pressure oscillations while maintaining steady state operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control orifice in the fluid monitoring device creates a deliberate delay in pressure propagation upstream. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate pressure changes before they reach the pressure relief valve, enabling smoother valve operation and preventing oscillations.
2Productivity
If pump speed is increased to improve fluid flow rate, then productivity is improved, but the system transitions from steady state to non-steady state mode
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid monitoring device with control orifice acts as a buffer that decouples the relationship between pump speed changes and pressure relief valve response. This intermediary allows the system to handle variable flow rates while maintaining steady state operation through smoothed pressure signals.
3Device complexity
If pressure sensor is positioned upstream of control orifice, then pressure sensing is simplified, but pressure oscillations and delayed response occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is deliberately positioned downstream of the control orifice to take advantage of the delayed pressure response. This positioning allows the sensor to detect pressure changes after they have been smoothed by the orifice, providing more stable feedback signals for valve control while preventing oscillations.
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 system effectively reduces the likelihood of transitioning to a non-steady state mode and shortens the time to return to a steady state, minimizing pressure oscillations and PRV overshooting, thereby enhancing stable fluid flow control.
Implementation Method 1
The control orifice has an orifice inner diameter that is less than both the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter. The pressure sensor is disposed to sense fluid pressure in the third conduit at a position downstream of the control orifice in close proximity to the control orifice.
Implementation Method 2
The fluid monitoring device has a control orifice in fluid communication with the second conduit disposed upstream of the control orifice and a third conduit disposed downstream of the control orifice.
Implementation Method 3
The pressure sensor is configured to produce signals representative of a sensed fluid pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply system and method is provided that includes a fluid pump, a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve (PRV), and a fluid monitoring device. The fluid pump receives fluid from a first conduit and discharges fluid into a second conduit. The pressure sensor produces sensed fluid pressure signals. The PRV is in signal communication with the pressure sensor. The fluid monitoring device includes a control orifice in fluid communication with second and third conduits. The second conduit has a first inner diameter, the third conduit has a second inner diameter, and the control orifice has an orifice inner diameter, and the orifice inner diameter is less than the first and second inner diameters. The pressure sensor senses fluid pressure in the third conduit at a position in close proximity to the control orifice. The fluid monitoring device may be in a lead or a lag domain configuration.