Replaceable Excess Flow Valve Assembly for Live Gas Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional excess flow valves in gas service lines are not adaptable to changes in demand flow rates over time, leading to inadequate protection against leaks in structures with varying usage, such as from a pizza restaurant to a florist, as they are sized for maximum potential demand and do not automatically shut off small leaks.
Innovation Solution
The development of gas valve assemblies with a replaceable excess flow valve within a movable flow control body that can be removably secured to a valve seat housing, allowing for replacement without interrupting gas supply or requiring excavation, enabling the adjustment of flow rates without replacing gas pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excess flow valves are sized for maximum potential demand flow, then they provide protection for high-demand structures, but they fail to provide adequate protection for low-demand structures with the same valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a replaceable excess flow valve design that allows the valve flow rating to be dynamically changed based on the structure's actual demand. Instead of a fixed valve sizing, the system enables users to remove and replace excess flow valves with different flow ratings as the structure's gas demand changes over time, making the protection system adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve flow rating from a fixed value to a variable that can be adjusted according to the structure's actual gas demand. By allowing replacement of excess flow valves with different flow ratings, the system transitions from a static parameter (fixed valve size) to a dynamic parameter (adjustable valve size), ensuring optimal leak protection for varying demand conditions
2Reliability
If excess flow valves are installed within the service line gas pipe, then they provide automatic shut-off protection, but replacement requires excavation and pipe replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the excess flow valve from the service line gas pipe, creating a modular design where the valve can be independently removed and replaced. The valve is positioned in a accessible location with a valve box, separating it from the buried pipe infrastructure, which allows the valve to be serviced without excavating the pipe or replacing the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a valve box as an intermediary component between the excess flow valve and the service line gas pipe. This intermediary structure provides accessible mounting for the valve and facilitates easy removal and replacement of the valve without requiring excavation of the pipe itself, simplifying maintenance while preserving automatic shut-off functionality
3Reliability
If excess flow valves are replaced to match changed demand flow, then leak protection is optimized for current usage, but gas supply must be interrupted and pipe replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of excess flow valve ratings without interrupting gas supply. The replaceable valve design with accessible mounting allows the valve to be swapped out while the system remains operational, eliminating the need to shut off gas service during valve replacement and reducing downtime to minimal or zero
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning of the excess flow valve in an accessible location above ground through the valve box structure. This preliminary action of placing the valve in a serviceable position before any replacement is needed allows for quick valve swaps without excavation or system shutdown, as the replacement procedure can be performed rapidly at the accessible mounting location
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides gas valve assemblies that include a replaceable excess flow valve within a movable flow control body that is removably secured within a valve seat housing. The gas valve assemblies permit the replacement of an excess flow valve without interrupting the supply of gas to a structure and without replacing gas piping.