Serviceable Receptacle Valve Seat for Low-Venting Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacles for handling cryogenic fluids like LNG and CNG vent significant amounts of gas into the atmosphere during the transfer process due to expansion and vaporization, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a valve seat assembly with a poppet and spring retainer system that minimizes fluid venting by using a unique packing configuration and geometry to create a tight seal, allowing for efficient fluid transfer and easy serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional receptacle design is used for transferring cryogenic fluids, then the fluid transfer process is simple, but significant amounts of gas are vented into the atmosphere due to expansion and vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into multiple functional segments: a body, a removable valve seat assembly, a poppet, and a spring retainer system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while enabling easy maintenance and replacement of individual parts without replacing the entire receptacle.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve seat assembly acts as an intermediary component between the receptacle body and the poppet seal mechanism. This intermediate structure provides a dedicated sealing interface that prevents direct contact between the poppet and the receptacle body, improving seal effectiveness and reducing fluid venting during transfer operations.
2Loss of substance
If a tight seal is maintained during fluid transfer to reduce venting, then fluid loss is minimized, but the receptacle becomes harder to service and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat assembly is designed as a removable unit that can be easily detached from the receptacle body. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace sealing components without disassembling the entire receptacle, maintaining both tight sealing during operation and ease of service during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retainer system is designed to automatically maintain spring pressure on the poppet seal, ensuring continuous tight sealing without requiring external adjustment or intervention. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the frequency and complexity of maintenance operations while preserving seal integrity during fluid transfer.
3Loss of substance
If a simple receptacle design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to reduce fluid venting through advanced sealing mechanisms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sealing system into a removable valve seat assembly and a poppet mechanism, the design allows standard manufacturing processes to be used for each component while achieving advanced sealing performance through their coordinated arrangement. This modular approach balances manufacturing simplicity with reduced fluid venting capability.
4Ease of repair
If the receptacle is designed for easy maintenance with removable components, then serviceability is improved, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat assembly serves as an intermediary component that maintains sealing reliability while enabling easy serviceability. Its removable design allows straightforward maintenance, while its integrated sealing surfaces and coordination with the poppet ensure that sealing performance is not compromised when the component is reinstalled.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retainer system automatically maintains proper sealing pressure through its elastic recovery properties, ensuring that the seal remains reliable after each maintenance cycle without requiring adjustment. This self-regulating feature preserves sealing reliability while supporting easy maintenance operations.
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 design significantly reduces fluid venting into the atmosphere, maintains a tight seal, and facilitates easier maintenance by allowing for the removal and reinstallation of internal components, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between the spring retainer and the poppet
Implementation Method 2
a packing disposed in the inner annular groove
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A receptacle (1000) for conveying fluid is disclosed. The receptacle may include: a first body (110) defining an inlet (110a) and an outlet (110b); a spring retainer (150) disposed in the first body and removable from the first body via the inlet; a valve seat (1210) disposed in the first body and removable from the first body via the inlet, the valve seat comprising: a second body (1310), a sealing flange (1320) extending radially outwardly from the second body, a sealing lip (1330) extending axially away from the sealing flange to define an annular channel (1332) with the second body and the sealing flange, and first and second annular extensions (1340, 1350) extending axially away from the second body to define an annular pocket (1312); a seat disc (1230) disposed in the annular pocket; a seat ring (1240) engaged with the valve seat and the seat disc, the seat ring retaining the seat disc in the annular pocket; a poppet (130) slidably engaged with the spring retainer between a closed position and an open position and engageable with the seat disc; and a spring (140) engaged with the spring retainer and with the poppet to urge the poppet against the seat disc.