Fluid Regulator Exhaust Vent Assembly Without External Vent Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid regulators require costly and time-consuming vent piping to maintain atmospheric pressure, which takes up significant space and can lead to process fluid being vented into internal environments if components fail.
Innovation Solution
A pressure control assembly with a flexible element that moves within the exhaust vent orifice to maintain a predetermined pressure within the regulator's second chamber, eliminating the need for external vent piping by sealing the spring case from the environment and preventing fluid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vent piping is installed to maintain atmospheric pressure in the second chamber, then the pressure control function is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function with the exhaust vent already present in the actuator housing. The exhaust vent serves dual purposes: allowing air to enter/exit the second chamber during normal operation and providing a safe venting path for process gas in case of diaphragm failure. This eliminates the need for separate vent piping while maintaining pressure control and safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust vent is designed to perform multiple functions: (1) maintain atmospheric pressure in the second chamber during normal operation by allowing air exchange, and (2) provide emergency venting of process gas to the external environment in case of diaphragm failure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated vent piping.
2Reliability
If vent piping is installed to vent process gas safely, then safety is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety venting function is merged with the existing exhaust vent structure. The exhaust vent is fluidly coupled to the second chamber and opens to the external environment, providing a safe venting path for process gas without requiring separate vent piping installation. This eliminates time-consuming installation and maintenance of dedicated vent piping while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If vent piping is installed to prevent fluid venting into internal environment, then safety is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is integrated into the actuator housing itself through the exhaust vent. The exhaust vent provides a direct path from the second chamber to the external environment, eliminating the need for external vent piping that would occupy space. The spring case is sealed from the internal environment, and the exhaust vent provides the necessary atmospheric connection without requiring additional space-consuming piping.
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 effectively maintains a predetermined pressure within the fluid regulator's chamber and seals the spring case from the environment, eliminating the need for external vent piping, thus reducing installation and maintenance costs and space requirements while preventing fluid venting into internal environments.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible element is movable within the orifice in response to movement of the diaphragm during operation of the actuator, wherein in response to movement of the diaphragm in a first direction, the flexible element is configured to move in a second direction different from the first direction to increase or decrease a volume of the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
the flexible element is configured to move in a second direction different from the first direction to increase or decrease a volume of the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
The pressure control assembly is configured to maintain a pre-determined pressure within the second chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure control assembly is provided that is coupled to a fluid regulator having a regulator body, an actuator, and an exhaust vent. The actuator includes an actuator housing, a diaphragm disposed within the actuator housing, a first chamber defined adjacent a first side of the diaphragm, and second chamber defined adjacent a second side of the diaphragm. The exhaust vent is formed in the actuator housing to fluidly couple the first chamber to the atmosphere. The pressure control assembly includes a flexible element positioned within an orifice of the exhaust vent. The flexible element is movable within the orifice in response to changes in the pressure in the second chamber.