Accessible Slam-Shut Mechanism for Fluid Regulator Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slam-shut safety devices in fluid regulators are often inaccessible, complicating normal line startup, maintenance, and troubleshooting, and can be difficult to move for maintenance of other components without opening or removing the device.
Innovation Solution
A slam-shut mechanism and fluid regulator design that allows the slam-shut safety device to be externally accessible and movable, facilitating maintenance and troubleshooting, while maintaining the safety shutoff capability in response to over or under-pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slam-shut safety device is integrated into the fluid regulator body, then the safety function is maintained, but the device becomes inaccessible for maintenance and troubleshooting
Solution Approach 1:
The slam-shut safety device is divided into two separate components: a safety device portion and a regulator body portion. The safety device portion can be removed from the regulator body portion, allowing maintenance personnel to access, remove, and service the safety device independently while maintaining its integrated safety function during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device portion is designed to transition between a fixed integrated state during normal operation and a removable separated state during maintenance. The regulator body portion includes a receptacle that receives and secures the safety device portion during operation, but allows removal when needed, providing dynamic accessibility.
2Ease of repair
If the slam-shut safety device is made accessible and removable, then maintenance and troubleshooting are simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the safety device into a removable safety device portion and a regulator body portion with a receptacle, the patent simplifies maintenance procedures while adding only minimal structural elements (the receptacle and engagement features) necessary to enable the removable connection.
3Ease of operation
If the slam-shut safety device is made movable for maintenance, then troubleshooting is facilitated, but the risk of accidental disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator body portion includes a receptacle pre-configured with engagement features that automatically secure the safety device portion when inserted. This preliminary preparation ensures that the connection is established correctly before operation begins, preventing accidental disengagement while maintaining ease of removal for maintenance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A slam-shut mechanism (204) for operatively connecting a slam-shut control element (216) of a fluid regulator with a controller (208) for the control element. The mechanism includes a shaft (248) and a cam (252) carried by the shaft and having a cam surface (280) adapted to be operatively connected to the slam-shut control element. The mechanism also includes a latching pin (256) carried by the shaft, a latch (260), and a lever (264) operably connected to the latch and adapted to be selectively engaged by the controller. When the controller engages the lever, the latch is movable from a first position, in which the latch securely retains the latching pin, such that the cam surface is arranged to retain the slam-shut control element in a fully open position, to a second position, in which the latching pin is released from the latch, thereby allowing the slam-shut control element to move from the fully open position to a closed position.