Regulator Assembly Testing With Matched-Molecular-Weight Gases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure fluctuations and instability in fluid storage and delivery vessels during fluid dispensing lead to high rejection rates and waste in manufacturing, particularly when testing with light inert gases, which do not accurately represent the performance of regulators with actual fluids.
Innovation Solution
Conduct testing with test fluids having molecular weights close to the actual fluids, using a mixture of gases like CF4, CO, BF3, SiF4, AsH3, PH3, GeF4, and H2, to assess flow properties and reduce false positives, thereby improving regulator assembly quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light inert gases are used as test fluid, then testing cost and handling are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate representation of actual fluid performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the test fluid to match or exceed the molecular weight of the actual process fluid. This parameter change ensures that the test fluid accurately represents the flow properties and spiking behavior of the actual fluid, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of handling through the use of common gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
2Ease of operation
If regulator assemblies are tested with fluids having different molecular weights, then testing ease is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to false rejection rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting test fluids whose molecular weights match or exceed those of the actual process fluids. This ensures that the spiking behavior observed during testing accurately reflects the regulator's performance with the actual fluid, thereby improving reliability and reducing false rejections while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, readily available gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide as test fluids. These gases are cost-effective and easily disposed of after testing, improving ease of operation while their molecular weights are selected to ensure accurate performance prediction, thereby maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If regulator assemblies are tested with light inert gases, then productivity is improved through faster handling, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to high rejection rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the test fluid to match or exceed that of the actual process fluid. This parameter change ensures accurate assessment of regulator performance and spiking behavior, thereby improving manufacturing precision. Common gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide are used to maintain fast handling and testing speed, preserving productivity.
Data Source
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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.