Removable First Stage Orifice Body for Easier Regulator Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
First stage pressure regulators for underwater breathing devices face challenges in complex machining, limited durability of integral orifices, difficulty in protecting against corrosion, and cumbersome quality control and maintenance due to the orifice being integral with the valve body.
Innovation Solution
A first stage pressure regulator design featuring a removable high pressure orifice body with a T-shaped head and conical protrusion, allowing for easier assembly, maintenance, and corrosion protection, with the orifice body made of a harder material than the valve body, and a pressure compensation chamber for improved sealing and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the orifice is integral with the valve body, then the structure is simpler, but the machining complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is separated from the valve body and made as a removable component. This segmentation allows the orifice to be manufactured independently with specialized machining processes, while the valve body requires less complex machining. The orifice can be removed and replaced without affecting the valve body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice is extracted from the integral valve body structure and made as a separate removable component. This extraction enables independent manufacturing, quality control, and maintenance of the orifice, reducing the machining complexity of the valve body while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If the orifice is integral with the valve body, then the structure is more robust, but the sealing edge is difficult to protect from wear
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is segmented as a separate component with its own sealing edge that can be independently hardened or coated. This allows the sealing edge to be protected from wear through surface treatments while maintaining the robust overall structure of the valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice component can have different material properties or surface treatments applied locally to the sealing edge area. This local quality enhancement protects the sealing edge from wear while maintaining the structural integrity of the entire orifice component.
3Device complexity
If the orifice is integral with the valve body, then the structure is more unified, but corrosion protection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is segmented as a removable component that can be separately treated with corrosion-resistant coatings or made from corrosion-resistant materials. This segmentation enables targeted corrosion protection without affecting the overall structural unity of the valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice is extracted as a separate component that can be independently protected from corrosion through coatings, material selection, or cathodic protection. This extraction allows for specialized corrosion protection treatments on the orifice without complicating the valve body structure.
4Device complexity
If the orifice is integral with the valve body, then the assembly is simpler, but quality control must be done on the entire valve body
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is segmented as a separate component that can be independently manufactured and quality-controlled. This segmentation allows for focused quality control on the orifice dimensions and sealing surfaces without requiring the entire valve body to be re-worked or re-inspected.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice is extracted as a separate quality control subject. This enables independent inspection, measurement, and testing of the orifice component before assembly, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining simple final assembly procedures.
5Device complexity
If the orifice is integral with the valve body, then the structure is more compact, but maintenance becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice is segmented as a removable component that can be independently maintained or replaced. This segmentation allows for easy maintenance of the orifice without requiring disassembly of the entire valve body, while maintaining a compact overall structure when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice transitions from a fixed integral structure to a dynamic removable component. This dynamic design allows the orifice to be easily removed for maintenance, inspection, or replacement while maintaining structural compactness during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A first stage pressure regulator is provided. A valve body has an inlet and an outlet that define a pressure chamber therebetween. The valve body defines a pressure compensation chamber having an opening fluidly communicating the pressure compensation chamber with the surrounding water. The first stage pressure regulator comprises an inlet tubular union removably received into the inlet. A removable high pressure orifice body defines an orifice therethrough. The orifice body is carried by the valve body proximate the inlet. A valve seat is within the valve body.