Self-Sealing Safety Valve for Sheared Cylinder Valve Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety valves for pressurized containers do not effectively prevent the rapid release of high-pressure gases when the dispensing valve is damaged or sheared off, leading to potential accidents and damage, and they are not designed to work with larger gas cylinders.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing safety valve with a bore of varying diameters, featuring a sealing ball and dual biasing means, which is retrofittable to standard containers, ensures fluid flow under normal conditions and seals the outlet under high-pressure conditions by forcing the sealing ball into a wider section, preventing fluid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breakaway section with a predetermined breaking point is used to seal the outlet when the valve is sheared off, then the sealing function is improved, but the structural strength is worsened due to the creation of a weak point
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful high-pressure fluid flow into a beneficial sealing force. When the dispensing valve is sheared off, the high-pressure fluid instead of causing damage, forces the sealing ball into the sealing position against the sealing seat, effectively sealing the outlet. This transforms the harmful accident condition into the activation mechanism for the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ball acts as an intermediary element between the high-pressure fluid and the outlet. Rather than the fluid directly causing damage or relying on a predetermined breakaway section, the sealing ball mediates by being forced into the sealing seat by the fluid pressure, creating a mechanical barrier that stops the flow.
2Ease of manufacture
If a solid body with a single diameter bore is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the sealing effectiveness under high-pressure conditions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bore is designed with varying diameters at different locations to serve different functions. The first portion has a larger diameter to accommodate the sealing ball and allow high-pressure flow, while the second portion has a smaller diameter to provide an effective sealing seat. This local variation in geometry optimizes both the sealing effectiveness and the response to high-pressure conditions.
3Device complexity
If a sealing ball with a fixed position is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to respond to high-pressure conditions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ball is designed to be movable within the bore rather than fixed. It can move freely under normal conditions to allow fluid flow, but when high-pressure conditions occur, the force of the fluid moves the sealing ball into the sealing position. This dynamic behavior allows the device to automatically respond to changing pressure conditions without complex control systems.
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 self-sealing safety valve effectively prevents fluid escape during high-pressure events, including valve shearing accidents, and is adaptable to various container sizes, reducing the risk of container acceleration and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a spring 2 biases the sealing ball 3 away from the outlet 7
Implementation Method 2
the ball is forced towards the outlet, sealing the contents in the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sealing safety valve (10) for a container of pressurised fluid (12) comprises a substantially solid body (14) and attachment means (24) for connecting to a dispensing valve. The self-sealing safety valve includes a substantially central bore (16) extending through both the attachment means and the solid body, and the bore connects an inlet (20) to an outlet (18). The bore comprises at least three parts each of a different diameter: a first part (16a) immediately adjacent the outlet has a first diameter; a second part (16b) located immediately adjacent the first part has a second diameter that is wider diameter than the first diameter; and a third (16c) part located immediately adjacent the second part has a third diameter that is wider than the second diameter. The second part of the bore houses a first biasing means (30). The third part of the bore houses a sealing ball (28) and a second biasing means (38), and the sealing ball is located between the first and second biasing means. The diameter of the sealing ball is greater than the first diameter but smaller than the second diameter and is capable of sealing the second part of the bore. Under normal flow conditions of fluid through the bore, the first biasing means is configured to bias the sealing ball away from the second part of the bore. Under conditions of high pressure fluid flow through the bore, the sealing ball is forced towards a junction (21) between the second and third parts of the bore, against the first biasing means, sealing the outlet.