Serviceable Receptacle Valve Assembly for Low-Venting Fluid Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacles for handling liquid natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vent a significant amount of fluid into the atmosphere when the nozzle disconnects, as the gases expand and occupy available spaces, leading to inefficient transfer and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a valve seat assembly with a poppet and spring retainer, including inner and outer packings, which minimizes fluid venting by creating a secure seal and allowing for easy serviceability, utilizing a unique geometry to prevent fluid leakage and debris interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional receptacle design is used, then the structure is simple, but a significant amount of fluid vents into the atmosphere when the nozzle disconnects
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into multiple functional components including a body, valve seat assembly, poppet, spring retainer, and spring. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, with the valve seat assembly and poppet working together to prevent fluid venting, while maintaining overall system manageability and serviceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The poppet acts as an intermediary component between the nozzle and the receptacle body. It moves in response to spring force to control the valve opening and closing, serving as a mediator that prevents direct fluid venting while allowing controlled fluid transfer, thus reducing emissions without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Reliability
If a secure seal is created to minimize fluid venting, then sealing efficiency improves, but serviceability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat assembly is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently removed from the receptacle body. This segmentation maintains reliable sealing when assembled (with the poppet and packing) while enabling easy serviceability by allowing the entire valve assembly to be removed and serviced as a unit through the inlet port.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve seat assembly, including the poppet, spring retainer, and spring, can be extracted from the receptacle body as a complete assembly. This extraction capability allows maintenance personnel to service, inspect, or replace the sealing components without disassembling the entire receptacle, thus maintaining both sealing efficiency and ease of repair.
3Ease of repair
If components are made serviceable through the inlet port, then ease of maintenance improves, but the inlet port design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet port is designed to serve multiple functions: it allows fluid entry during normal operation and also serves as the access pathway for removing and installing the valve seat assembly. This multi-functionality improves maintenance accessibility without requiring separate service ports or complex disassembly procedures, balancing ease of repair with acceptable inlet port design.
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 receptacle reduces fluid venting into the atmosphere, enhances sealing efficiency, and facilitates easier maintenance by allowing components to be accessed and replaced through the inlet port, ensuring effective fluid transfer and reduced emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Spring 7 is also disposed inside body 1 and provides a spring force against poppet 2
Implementation Method 2
The packing, which may be referenced as a seal, is disposed in the inner annular groove
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may include a main body, a valve seat body, a poppet, a spring retainer, spring, and a packing. The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seat body may include: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove.