Ship Safety Valve Switching Unit for Pressure Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety valve systems for liquefied gas carriers require manual operation to switch the operating pressure value, making it difficult to determine if the switching is done correctly, leading to potential errors and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A safety valve system with a switching unit that allows for easy switching of operating pressure values by controlling pilot valves, eliminating the need for spring attachment or detachment, ensuring only the pilot valve with the highest operating pressure is always operable, and using electromagnetic or manual valves with detectors for remote operation and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is used to switch the operating pressure value by adding or removing springs, then the operating pressure value can be switched, but it becomes difficult to determine if the switching is done correctly, leading to potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of adding/removing springs with an automated electromagnetic valve system. The switching unit uses electromagnetic valves controlled by a control unit to automatically switch between different pilot valves based on detected tank pressure, eliminating manual intervention and ensuring accurate, error-free switching of operating pressure values
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a detector monitors the actual tank pressure and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically select and activate the appropriate pilot valve with the correct operating pressure value, ensuring the system always operates at the correct pressure without manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pilot valves with different spring constants are provided, then the operating pressure value can be switched, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching function from the pilot valves themselves and places it in a separate switching unit with electromagnetic valves. This allows multiple pilot valves to coexist without requiring manual assembly/disassembly, as the switching unit automatically selects which pilot valve to activate based on detected pressure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit serves multiple functions: it detects tank pressure, determines the appropriate operating pressure value, selects the corresponding pilot valve, and activates it. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single automated system
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching operation is required, then the operating pressure value can be changed, but the ease of operation deteriorates and operator errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own pressure conditions and autonomously selecting and switching to the appropriate pilot valve. The detector and control unit enable the system to self-regulate the operating pressure value without requiring operator intervention, eliminating errors and simplifying operation
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
Enhances the reliability of the safety valve system by preventing operation errors and reducing the risk of failures, allowing for easy switching of operating pressure values without manual intervention and improving maintenance workability.
Implementation Method 1
using electromagnetic or manual valves with detectors for remote operation and monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A safety valve system includes a main valve that includes an introduction port into which pressure from a tank is introduced, and a release port to release the pressure; a high-pressure side pilot valve and a low-pressure side pilot valve that are set to mutually different operating pressure values and that release pressure by making the introduction port and the release port communicate with each other when the pressure exceeds the operating pressure value; and a switching unit that switches so that only the low-pressure side pilot valves, which excludes the high-pressure side pilot valve with the highest operating pressure value, do not operate.