Pressure Relief Valve Opening Detection With External Indicator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration systems, it is difficult to determine which pressure relief valve has discharged during an over-pressure event, leading to labor-intensive investigations and the need for costly and complex monitoring systems that often provide false signals due to proximity issues.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve monitoring device with a striker and indicator assembly, featuring a diaphragm or sensors that detect the valve opening, providing a non-intrusive and wireless solution for identifying the specific valve that has discharged, using a combination of mechanical and electronic components such as strain sensors, frangible fuses, and LED indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex valve position sensors are used to detect discharge, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex internal valve position sensors and relocates it to a separate indicator assembly that attaches to the valve exterior. The indicator assembly contains the sensing mechanism (magnetic sensor detecting magnet movement, or optical sensor detecting stem position) separated from the valve body, simplifying the overall system while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements between the valve stem and the sensor: a magnet attached to the valve stem that interacts with an external magnetic sensor, or an optical reflector that interacts with an optical sensor. This intermediary approach allows accurate detection without requiring complex sensors inside the valve, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple relief valves are installed in the system, then system reliability is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring which valve discharged increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing unique identification to each valve through the indicator assembly. Each valve's indicator can be visually distinguished (different colors, positions, or illuminated states) to identify which specific valve has discharged. This allows easy differentiation among multiple valves without requiring complex centralized monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes as a visual indication mechanism. The indicator assembly may change color (e.g., from green to red) or display different colored lights to indicate valve discharge status. This provides immediate visual identification of which valve has discharged, solving the problem of distinguishing among multiple valves in the system.
3Measurement precision
If flow, pressure, acoustics and vibration monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but false signals increase due to proximity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function into individual valve-specific indicator assemblies, each independently detecting discharge at its local valve. This segmentation eliminates cross-interference between nearby valves, as each indicator only responds to its own valve's discharge events, preventing false signals from adjacent valves while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex physical monitoring systems (flow meters, pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors) with a simpler mechanical/magnetic coupling mechanism. A magnet on the valve stem directly couples with an external magnetic sensor, or an optical reflector couples with an optical sensor, providing reliable discharge detection without the false signals associated with proximity-based physical sensing.
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 allows for easy identification of the discharged valve, reducing investigation time and costs, while minimizing false signals and system complexity, with the ability to provide visual and wireless notifications of valve actuation.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure relief valve monitoring device includes a diaphragm positioned between the stem and the indicator assembly
Implementation Method 2
A sensor may be positioned in the cap assembly to detect the position of the stem
Implementation Method 3
An electrical circuit and indicator may be linked with the sensor to illuminate the indicator upon detection of the stem position
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein provide for pressure relief valve detection and monitoring. A valve assembly includes a striker and an indicator assembly separated by a diaphragm. The diaphragm may be elastically or permanently deformable. The striker may be connected to a relieve valve disk that releases in response to high fluid pressure at the valve. Movement of the striker may be detected by contact with the diaphragm or by sensors near the diaphragm, which may trigger the indicator assembly to provide an external indication of a valve opening.