Electronically Controlled Regulator With Piston-Assisted Valve Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional regulators for high-pressure fluid depressurization face limitations in discharge pressure and flow rate ranges due to mechanical dependencies on pressure regulating springs, leading to potential slow leakage when the electric motor is stopped, especially when the outer peripheral seal diameter of the valve shaft is smaller than the seat diameter of the valve seat.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled regulator with a piston slidably arranged in a cylindrical space on the discharge pressure chamber side, converting fluid pressure into a pressure load that presses the valve body against the seat face during valve closure, even when the electric motor is stopped, thereby preventing slow leakage and increasing the pressure load for valve closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pressure regulating spring is used to mechanically regulate discharge pressure, then the regulator structure is simple, but the discharge pressure range and flow rate range are mechanically limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pressure regulating spring system with an electronically controlled actuator system. The actuator receives control signals to adjust the valve opening degree, enabling electronic regulation of discharge pressure. This substitution allows the regulator to adapt to various discharge pressures and flow rates through electronic control parameters rather than mechanical adjustments, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability range.
2Volume of moving object
If the outer peripheral seal diameter of the valve shaft is smaller than the seat diameter of the valve seat, then the valve structure is compact, but slow leakage occurs when the electric motor is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a seal ring as an intermediary element between the valve shaft and the valve seat. This seal ring with a larger diameter than both the valve shaft and valve seat creates an additional sealing interface. When the electric motor stops, the seal ring maintains contact with the valve seat to prevent slow leakage, while the overall valve structure remains compact through optimized arrangement of components.
3Force
If the valve shaft is energized by a pressure regulating spring, then the valve body is pressed down in close contact with the seat face, but the discharge pressure depends on the spring load which limits the pressure range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static pressure regulating spring system to a dynamic electronically controlled actuator system. The actuator can dynamically adjust the valve opening degree based on control signals, allowing the discharge pressure to be regulated across a wide range. The valve closing force is maintained through electronic control that adjusts the actuator output force, replacing the fixed spring load with a dynamically adjustable electronic control system.
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 prevents slow leakage and ensures reliable valve closure by converting fluid pressure into a pressure load, enhancing the self-sealing function and reducing the likelihood of leakage, even when the electric motor is not powered, and allows for a wider range of discharge pressures and flow rates without additional parts.
Implementation Method 1
converting fluid pressure into a pressure load that presses the valve body against the seat face during valve closure
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an electronically controlled regulator (1A, 1B) including a pressure regulating valve (20A, 80), the pressure regulating valve (20A, 80) including: a valve shaft (21A, 81) that has a valve body (22A, 82) and can reciprocate in an axial direction; a valve seat (23, 84) having a seat face (24, 85) in close contact with the valve body (22A, 82) on a high-pressure fluid chamber (2A, 2B) side; and a discharge pressure regulating unit that regulates a fluid pressure by causing the valve shaft (21A, 81) to reciprocate by an electric motor (30), in which a high-pressure fluid introduced is discharged as a depressurized fluid at a set pressure in a discharge pressure chamber (3A, 3B) while being depressurized and regulated by the pressure regulating valve (20A, 80), a cylindrical space (36A, 36B) is formed on the discharge pressure chamber (3A, 3B) side, and a piston (37A, 37B) receiving a pressure in the discharge pressure chamber (3A, 3B) is fixed to the valve shaft (21A, 81) and is slidable in the space (36A, 36B), the fluid pressure received by the piston is converted into a pressure load for pressing the valve body to the seat face during valve closing when the electric motor is stopped.