Flexible Silicone Check Valve Combustion Chamber Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion-powered tools face challenges in achieving high mechanical shock resistance, efficient fluid flow, and preventing flame quenching due to the limitations of previously used control check valves, which often fail to withstand explosive combustion conditions and maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible silicone rubber plate-type control check valve is interposed between the primary and secondary combustion chambers to control the flow of unburned fuel and prevent combustion products from reversing, allowing the pressures from the secondary combustion chamber to drive the working piston through its power stroke while withstanding high mechanical shocks and maintaining sealing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control check valve is used to separate primary and secondary combustion chambers, then combustion products are prevented from flowing back into the primary chamber, but the valve fails to withstand high mechanical shocks from explosive combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm made of elastomeric material as the control check valve between the primary and secondary combustion chambers. This flexible membrane can dynamically respond to pressure differentials, opening to allow unburned fuel passage and closing to prevent combustion product backflow, while its elastomeric nature provides resilience against high mechanical shocks from explosive combustion in the secondary chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes a composite structure combining rigid chamber housings with a flexible elastomeric diaphragm. The rigid portions provide structural strength and containment, while the elastomeric material provides the necessary flexibility and shock absorption for the valve function, creating a composite solution that addresses both strength and reliability requirements.
2Productivity
If a control check valve is designed to quickly unseat and return to seated position, then fluid flow rate is maximized, but the valve cannot maintain structural integrity under explosive combustion conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric diaphragm can rapidly deform in response to pressure changes, quickly unseating to maximize fluid flow rate when needed and rapidly returning to its seated position to maintain sealing. The elastomeric material's inherent flexibility and resilience allow this rapid cyclic operation while maintaining structural integrity under explosive combustion conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operation relies on dynamic parameter changes in the elastomeric material, specifically its ability to change shape and stiffness in response to pressure differentials. The material transitions from a flexible, open state during fuel flow to a rigid, sealed state during combustion product containment, optimizing both flow rate and structural integrity at different operational phases.
3Strength
If a rigid valve structure is used to withstand mechanical shocks, then structural integrity is maintained, but flame quenching occurs due to excessive heat absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric diaphragm provides sufficient structural integrity to withstand mechanical shocks while its low thermal mass and flexibility prevent flame quenching. The thin-film nature of the diaphragm allows rapid heat dissipation and prevents the kind of heat absorption that occurs with rigid, massive valve structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric diaphragm is designed as a sacrificial component that can withstand the thermal and mechanical stresses of combustion events. While individual diaphragms may have limited service life under extreme conditions, they provide reliable operation for the duration required, replacing a more complex rigid valve system that would cause flame quenching.
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 flexible silicone rubber plate-type control check valve effectively manages the flow of unburned fuel and combustion products, ensuring efficient pressure transfer to the working piston, enhancing power stroke efficiency and preventing flame quenching, thus overcoming the limitations of previous valve designs.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible silicone rubber plate-type control check valve is interposed between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber so as to control the flow of unburned fuel
Implementation Method 2
combustion occurs within the secondary combustion chamber, such that the pressures developed within the secondary combustion chamber, as a result of the combustion of the air/fuel mixture within the secondary combustion chamber, can in fact act upon the working piston so as to drive the same through its working or power stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion-powered tool comprises a primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber, and a working piston that is in fluidic connection with the secondary combustion chamber so as to be exposed to the pressures developed within the secondary combustion chamber, when combustion takes place within the secondary combustion chamber, such that the working piston can be driven through its working or power stroke. A flexible silicone rubber plate-type control check valve is interposed between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber so as to control the flow of combustion products from the primary combustion chamber into the secondary combustion chamber and yet prevent the flow of combustion products from the secondary combustion chamber back into the primary combustion chamber, when combustion occurs within the secondary combustion chamber, such that the pressures developed within the secondary combustion chamber, as a result of the combustion of the air/fuel mixture within the secondary combustion chamber, can in fact act upon the working piston so as to drive the same through its working or power stroke.