Spring-Latched Valve Actuation for Low-Force Emergency Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency control valves (ECVs) are difficult for laypeople, especially those with physical disabilities, to operate, and existing solutions often require electrical components that pose a fire or explosion risk.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded actuation unit that biases a valve to the closed position automatically after a triggering force is applied, decoupling the force required to open and close the valve, and allowing for non-rotary and reduced external force operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid-based actuator is used to make ECV operation easier, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and fire/explosion risk arises due to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical actuation systems (solenoids) with a purely mechanical spring-loaded actuation unit. The torsion spring provides the closing force mechanically, eliminating the need for electrical components that pose fire risks in gas environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes electrical components from the actuation system, retaining only the essential mechanical elements (spring, latching mechanism, trigger). This simplifies the device while maintaining ease of operation through mechanical means only.
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid-based actuator is used to make ECV operation easier, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fire or explosion risk in gas applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical actuation systems (solenoids) with a purely mechanical spring-loaded actuation unit. The torsion spring provides the closing force mechanically, eliminating the need for electrical components that pose fire risks in gas environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inherently safe mechanical system that operates without electrical sparks or heat generation, effectively creating a safe environment for gas applications where electrical components would be hazardous.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded actuation unit is used to automatically bias the valve closed, then ease of operation is improved for users with physical impairments, but the device complexity increases due to the latching and triggering mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring is pre-loaded to store energy that automatically closes the valve when released. The latching mechanism is pre-positioned to hold the valve open until the trigger is activated, eliminating the need for users to apply continuous force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded system provides self-service by automatically closing the valve once triggered, without requiring the user to apply torque or force to the valve itself. The system uses its own stored energy to perform the closing action.
4Ease of operation
If the valve is latched in the open position, then ease of operation is improved by requiring minimal force to open, but reliability may deteriorate if the valve can be accidentally opened
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by preventing accidental opening of the valve. The trigger mechanism requires a specific deliberate action to release the latch, ensuring the valve cannot be accidentally opened while maintaining easy operation when intentionally triggered.
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
Enables users with physical impairments to easily close ECVs without electricity, improving accessibility and safety by reducing the torque required to close the valve and allowing for remote actuation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded actuation unit that biases a valve to the closed position automatically
Implementation Method 2
The valve assembly is arranged that the actuation unit latches only when the valve is in a position in which the valve is effectively fully open
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A valve assembly including a valve arranged to move between an open position and a closed position by rotating an operating member of the valve about an axis. An actuation unit (16) comprises a torsion spring (34), a trigger member (20), and a driving member (36). The driving member (36) engages with the operating member of the valve to drive rotation of the operating member. The torsion spring (34) applies a first torque to the driving member around the axis in a first rotational direction. An external second torque applied opposite to the first torque resets the valve to the open position in which the driving member (36) is held by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is arranged to hold the driving member only when the valve is in the open position. An external force applied to the trigger member (20) releases the driving member (36) from the latching mechanism, the first torque thereby rotating the driving member (36) to mechanically bias said valve to the closed position.