Sequential Shutter Valve for Controlled Pressure Rise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rapid pressure increase from existing pressurized fluid cylinder taps can damage downstream equipment due to the quick opening of the shut-off valve, leading to rapid compression of connected circuits.

Innovation Solution

The pressurized fluid cylinder tap employs two distinct shutter elements with a sequential opening mechanism, where the first shutter opens before the second, allowing for a progressive pressure increase by controlling the flow passage sections, with the first shutter element being actuated by a transmission pin before the second, and both are biased by a common spring, ensuring a controlled opening and closing sequence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single shutter element is used in the shut-off valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure increase becomes too rapid causing damage to downstream equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidrapid pressure increase damaging downstream equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single shutter element is divided into two distinct shutter elements (first shutter element and second shutter element) that open sequentially. The first shutter element opens to allow initial gas flow, then the second shutter element opens to increase flow. This segmentation enables controlled pressure increase while protecting downstream equipment from rapid compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the shutter element opens quickly to improve gas flow rate, then the productivity is improved, but the rapid compression damages connected equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow rateVSAvoidrapid compression of connected circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first shutter element performs a preliminary opening action before the second shutter element opens. This preliminary action allows gas to flow through a restricted passage first, gradually increasing pressure downstream. Only after this preliminary phase does the second shutter element open to provide full flow, preventing sudden compression of connected equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a sequential opening mechanism with two shutter elements is implemented, then the pressure increase is controlled and equipment is protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over pressure increaseVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first shutter element is positioned within the second shutter element, creating a nested configuration. Both shutters share a common resilient element (spring) and are actuated by a single pivoting lever through a transmission pin. This nesting reduces the number of independent components needed while maintaining the sequential opening function, thereby controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Both shutter elements are biased by a single common resilient element (spring) rather than requiring separate springs for each shutter. The transmission pin mechanically couples both shutters to the single pivoting lever, enabling coordinated sequential operation. This merging of components achieves the controlled pressure increase function while minimizing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution prevents equipment damage by gradually increasing pressure downstream, reducing the effort needed to open the second shutter element and maintaining a controlled flow, thus minimizing the risk of rapid compression and ensuring a stable operational environment.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient element such as a spring biased toward a closed position of the shut-off valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the gas pressure in the upstream end exceeds a defined pressure difference threshold with respect to the downstream end, the gas pressure urges the second shutter element toward its closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3062005B1Pressurized fluid cylinder tap and a cylinder comprising such a tap
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP3062005B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3062005B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3062005B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A pressurized fluid cylinder tap (13) comprising a body (16) enclosing a gas passage (17), the gas passage (17) comprising an upstream end (18) and a downstream end (19), the tap (13) comprising a shut-off valve (14) having a shutter (7, 10) element which is movable relative to a valve seat (11) between a closed position and at least one open position, the tap comprising a pivoting lever (1) which is mechanically coupled to the shutter element (7, 10) so that rotation of the lever (1) between a first position and a second position causes motion of the shutter element (7, 10) between the closed and open positions, characterized in that the shut-off valve comprises two distinct shutter (7, 10) elements, respectively first shutter (7) element and second (10) shutter element, the two shutter elements (7, 10) being movable relative to the valve seat (11) between respective closed and open positions, in their respective open positions the two shutter elements (7, 10) defining respective flow passage sections in the gas passage (17), the shut-off valve (14) being configured so that, when the lever is moved from its first position to its second position it causes first the motion of the first shutter (7) toward it open position before causing the motion of second shutter (10) toward its open position, the flow passage section opened by the first shutter (7) being smaller than the flow passage section opened by the second shutter (10).