Spring Clip Vibration Dampening for Pressure Regulator Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure regulators experience operational integrity issues due to vibrations caused by fluid flow, leading to resonance problems that existing solutions, such as spring clips, can be tedious and time-consuming to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A spring clip with a body plate and opposing arm plates, featuring contoured edges for easy assembly and vibration dampening, is integrated into the fluid flow control device to bias the control element and reduce resonance, along with an o-ring for additional vibration dampening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional spring clip design is used to dampen vibrations, then vibration dampening is achieved, but assembly becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is pre-formed with an open configuration that allows the load spring to be inserted before the clip engages and closes around the spring. This preliminary preparation of the clip in an open state eliminates the need for manual manipulation during assembly, reducing assembly time while maintaining vibration dampening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently positioned and engaged around the load spring. This segmentation allows the clip to be assembled in a simplified sequence: position clip, insert spring, allow clip to engage, eliminating complex manipulation steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual manipulation is required to spread arm plates apart for assembly, then the spring clip can be assembled, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is designed to be self-actuating during assembly. When the load spring is inserted into the open clip, the spring's natural elasticity causes the clip to automatically close and engage around it without requiring external manual manipulation to spread or compress the arm plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip is pre-positioned in an open configuration before the load spring is inserted. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual spreading of arm plates during assembly, as the clip is already prepared to receive the spring and will self-close upon engagement.
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 spring clip facilitates easier assembly and effectively reduces both high and low frequency resonance, enhancing the operational integrity of the fluid flow control device.
Implementation Method 1
The spring clip contacts the load spring at a plurality of points to dampen vibrations during operation of the fluid flow control device
Implementation Method 2
The load spring is disposed in the bonnet cavity and biasing the control element into a predetermined position relative to the throat
Implementation Method 3
the corner including a contoured edge for facilitating attachment of the load spring to the spring clip
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A control assembly for a fluid flow control device (10) includes a control element (16), a load spring (44), and a spring clip (42). The control element (16) can be movably disposed for controlling fluid flow, and the load spring (44) biases the control element (16) into a predetermined position. The spring clip (42) contacts the load spring (44) at a plurality of points to dampen vibrations experienced by the load spring, thereby reducing and/or eliminating resonance. The spring clip (42) includes a body plate (58) and first and second opposing arm plates (60a, 60b) extending away from the body plate. Each arm plate includes a proximal end (68a, 68b) adjacent the body plate, a distal end (70a, 70b) spaced away from the body plate, and a finger (72a, 72b) extending upwardly away from the distal end. A corner (74a, 74b) at an intersection between the finger and the distal end includes a contoured edge (76a, 76b) for facilitating attachment of the load spring to the spring clip. The spring clip can better dampen vibrations and reduce and/or eliminate resonance.