Underwater Pressure Regulator Balancing Chamber Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulating devices for underwater breathing apparatuses suffer from leakage issues due to non-sealing balancing chambers, leading to uncontrolled gas leaks and performance degradation, especially when the high-pressure fluid leaks into the intermediate pressure chamber.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating device with a sealingly supported cut-off stem in a balancing chamber, where the balancing chamber is isolated from the high-pressure chamber, and an optional relief valve to mitigate high-pressure thrust effects, ensuring the cut-off closes and reduces intermediate pressure in case of leakage, thereby preventing catastrophic failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the balancing chamber is communicated with the intermediate pressure chamber through an axial hole in the cut-off, then the intermediate pressure can be maintained independently of cylinder pressure, but high pressure gas leakage through the gasket causes uncontrolled gas leaks in the intermediate pressure chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pressure regulating device into two independent pressure zones: a first pressure zone (balancing chamber) maintained at high pressure to counteract cylinder pressure on the cut-off, and a second pressure zone (intermediate pressure chamber) maintained at stable intermediate pressure. This segmentation prevents high pressure gas from contaminating the intermediate pressure chamber, eliminating the harmful leakage effect while preserving intermediate pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a gasket as an intermediary sealing element between the first and second pressure zones. This gasket selectively isolates the intermediate pressure chamber from the high pressure balancing chamber, allowing the balancing chamber to communicate with the high pressure inlet while preventing high pressure gas from entering the intermediate pressure chamber through the cut-off stem.
2Device complexity
If the cut-off stem is supported in a balancing chamber communicated with the high pressure chamber, then the structure is simple, but leakage through the gasket causes high pressure thrust to push the cut-off open, preventing proper closing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pressure zones to isolate the intermediate pressure chamber from the high pressure balancing chamber. This allows the balancing chamber to safely communicate with high pressure gas without compromising the cut-off's ability to close, as the high pressure gas is contained in a separate zone that cannot push the cut-off open into the intermediate pressure chamber.
3Device complexity
If the intermediate pressure chamber is directly communicated with the high pressure chamber without a sealing balancing chamber, then the structure is simpler, but any gasket leakage directly causes catastrophic failure through uncontrolled gas leak
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prepares a sealing balancing chamber in advance as a protective barrier between the high pressure and intermediate pressure chambers. This pre-established sealing zone cushions against potential gasket leakage, preventing catastrophic failure by containing any leakage within the isolated balancing chamber rather than allowing it to reach the intermediate pressure chamber.
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 solution reduces the risk of uncontrolled gas leaks and maintains breathing performance by ensuring the cut-off closes in case of leakage, making underwater operations safer and easier, with improved reliability and ease of implementation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable diaphragm having a wall facing a chamber communicating with the external environment and on which an elastic pre-load acts such that the pressure of the external environment and the elastic pre-load cause an inflection of the diaphragm itself in the opening direction of the dispensing valve at the inhaling
Implementation Method 2
the cut-off is pushed along the closing direction by the input flow pressure and by an elastic pre-load that is in the high pressure chamber and acts in the opposite direction with respect to the diaphragm elastic pre-load
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressure regulating device, such as a first diaphragm stage for underwater use, the device comprising a body provided with an inlet connected to a breathable high pressure gas source and an outlet for the breathable gas having pressure lower than the input gas pressure, said body being partitioned into at least one high-pressure gas chamber communicating with said inlet, and an intermediate-pressure gas chamber communicating with said outlet, and the intermediate-pressure gas chamber being communicating with the high-pressure gas chamber through a pressure reducing valve. The pressure reducing valve comprises a valve seat made on the wall partitioning the high pressure chamber from the intermediate pressure chamber and a cut-off composed of a flared head connected to a stem, the flared head cooperating with said valve seat for closing and opening said valve. The cut-off is displaceable in the two directions along the longitudinal axis of the stem inside the high pressure chamber such that the flared head travels to be alternatively detached and moved away from said seat for opening the valve and travels to move closer and in abutment against said valve seat for closing the valve. The stem is slidingly and sealingly supported in opening of a wall of the high pressure chamber, opposite to the wall provided with said valve seat, thanks to a sealing gasket, such as an o-ring or the like, said opening not communicating with other parts of the device such that the pressure in said opening is substantially null or however such to not affect the thrust exerted by the cut-off against the valve seat.