Regulator Assembly Testing With Molecular-Weight-Matched Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure regulated fluid storage and delivery vessels experience pressure fluctuations and instability during fluid dispensing, leading to high rejection rates and waste in manufacturing, as current testing methods using light inert gases are not accurate enough to assess spiking performance effectively.
Innovation Solution
Testing regulator assemblies using a test fluid with a molecular weight between 80% and 110% of the intended fluid's molecular weight to assess flow properties more accurately, reducing false positives and improving the selection of design parameters for outlet pressures, thereby reducing waste and increasing yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light inert gases are used as test fluid for regulator assembly testing, then cost and handling are improved, but measurement precision of spiking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the test fluid to match or closely approximate the molecular weight of the actual process fluid. This parameter change ensures that the test fluid exhibits similar flow characteristics and spiking behavior, thereby providing accurate prediction of regulator performance with the actual fluid while maintaining the benefits of using inert, easily handled gases.
2Productivity
If current testing methods are used to screen regulator assemblies, then testing speed is maintained, but manufacturing precision of regulator assembly selection deteriorates due to high false rejection rate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the test fluid to have a molecular weight matching the process fluid, the testing method achieves both high-speed screening and high-precision selection. The improved fluid matching reduces false rejections while maintaining testing efficiency, as the test accurately predicts actual performance without requiring slower, more complex testing procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Regulator assemblies can be tested using test fluids selected to have a molecular weight about that of a selected fluid to be dispensed from a fluid storage and delivery vessel including the regulator assembly. The test fluid can be a single gas or a mixture. The test fluid can have a molecular weight of between 80% and 110% of the molecular weight of the selected fluid dispensed from the fluid storage and delivery vessel. Regulator assemblies tested in this manner can pass evaluation when they show fewer than two spikes on the initiation of flow of the test gas. These regulator assemblies can be installed into fluid storage and delivery vessels, particularly for storage and delivery of pressurized fluids.