Segmented Temperature Trigger Actuator for Pressure Relief Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure relief valve technologies with temperature-activated triggers are inadequate for large or partially obscured tanks, as they may not respond in time to prevent tank rupture due to heat sources affecting other parts of the tank, and existing designs use shape-changing temperatures that are not optimal for pressure relief.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a temperature responsive trigger actuator comprising multiple point trigger actuator portions, each with a specific shape-changing temperature, that cooperates with a sealing member to ensure fluid communication between an inlet and outlet when heated above its respective shape-changing temperature, allowing for efficient venting of pressure vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a point trigger device is used to activate the pressure relief valve, then the valve can be activated by temperature, but it only responds to fire or extreme heat that directly heats the trigger, causing the tank to rupture before the valve triggers in large or partially obscured tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger actuator is divided into multiple segments along its length, each with different shape memory properties and transition temperatures. This segmentation allows different portions of the actuator to respond to heat at different rates, ensuring that the valve activates when any portion of the tank is heated, not just where the trigger is located.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the trigger actuator are assigned different local qualities in terms of shape memory alloy composition and transition temperatures. This allows the actuator to have varying thermal responses along its length, with segments closer to the tank wall activating at lower temperatures than segments farther away, ensuring comprehensive heat detection.
2Device complexity
If a short, stiff rod with a specific shape-changing temperature is used, then the trigger mechanism is simple, but the shape-changing temperature is not necessarily a useful trigger temperature for pressure relief
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger actuator is segmented into multiple sections with different shape memory properties, allowing each segment to contribute to the overall triggering action at different temperatures. This maintains structural simplicity while achieving temperature adaptability through the combined behavior of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger actuator uses composite construction with different shape memory alloy segments having different transition temperatures. This allows the single actuator to provide multiple trigger temperatures without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
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 effectively prevents tank rupture by ensuring timely activation of the valve when exposed to heat, ensuring fluid communication and preventing pressure buildup, even in challenging tank geometries.
Implementation Method 1
A valve with a temperature responsive trigger actuator comprising multiple point trigger actuator portions, each with a specific shape-changing temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a valve comprising a body, a passageway, a sealing member, a trigger, and a temperature responsive trigger actuator. The passageway is defined by the body, wherein the passageway includes an inlet and an outlet. The sealing member is configured for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the sealing member prevents fluid communication between the inlet and outlet of the passageway, and in the open position, the inlet and the outlet of the passageway are in fluid communication. The trigger is configured for movement between a first trigger position and a second trigger position, wherein the trigger cooperates with the sealing member such that, when the trigger is disposed in the first trigger position, the trigger effects interference with movement of the sealing member from one of the open position and the closed position to the other one of the open position and the closed position, and when the trigger is disposed in the second trigger position, the interference effected by the trigger, is removed. The temperature responsive trigger actuator includes a plurality of point trigger actuator portions wherein each one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions is characterized by a respective shape-changing temperature and is configured such that, for each one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions, when the temperature of the point trigger actuator portion is below the respective shape-changing temperature, the point trigger actuator portion is disposed in a respective low temperature shape condition, and when the temperature of the point trigger actuator portion is at or above the respective shape-changing temperature, the point trigger actuator portion is disposed in a respective high temperature shape condition. The trigger co-operates with the plurality of point trigger actuator portions such that the movement of the trigger from the first trigger position to the second trigger position is configured to be effected by heating of at least one operative point trigger actuator portion, wherein each one of the at least one operative trigger portion is any one of the plurality of point trigger actuator portions, wherein the heating is sufficient to raise the temperature of each one of the at least one operative point trigger actuator portion above its respective shape-changing temperature.