Spring Controlled Valve Coil Gap Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves do not effectively utilize the spring constant to control the flow and pressure of gases or fluids, lacking innovative mechanisms to regulate these parameters.

Innovation Solution

A spring-controlled valve design featuring a housing with an actuator, piston, and a spring with a central opening, where the spring's movement between expanded and compressed states adjusts the flow by varying the gaps between coils, and the spring's resilient coating forms a gas-tight seal, allowing pressure-dependent regulation of gas flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional valve mechanisms are used to control gas flow, then the valve structure is simple, but the flow and pressure control precision is insufficient and does not effectively utilize spring constant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow and pressure control precisionVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is designed to be movable between expanded and compressed states, dynamically adjusting the coil gaps to control gas flow. The spring constant becomes a direct control parameter, allowing precise regulation of flow and pressure through the dynamic positioning of spring coils rather than fixed mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and positioning parameters of the spring (expanded vs. compressed states) to control flow characteristics. By varying the spring compression level, the coil gaps change, directly adjusting the gas flow rate and pressure drop across the valve in a continuous and precise manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the spring coils are placed close together to increase flow control, then the flow regulation precision is improved, but the gas-tight sealing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow regulation precisionVSAvoidgas-tight sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A resilient coating is applied to the spring coils, forming a flexible gas-tight barrier. This coating maintains sealing effectiveness even when coils are in close proximity during compression, preventing gas leakage through the gaps while preserving the spring's mechanical functionality and flow control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The spring combines metallic coil structure with a resilient coating material, creating a composite component. The metal provides mechanical strength and elasticity for positioning control, while the coating provides gas-tight sealing, achieving both precise flow regulation and reliable sealing simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the spring is used to control gas flow through coil gaps, then the flow control efficiency is improved, but the complexity of ensuring gas-tight sealing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control efficiencyVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient coating on the spring coils provides self-sealing functionality. As the spring compresses and coils move closer, the coating automatically maintains contact and sealing without requiring additional sealing components or complex mechanisms, simplifying the overall design while ensuring gas-tight performance throughout the flow control range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 valve effectively regulates gas flow and pressure by utilizing the spring constant to control the movement of the spring, ensuring precise control over the flow through the adjustment of coil gaps, thereby providing efficient and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a spring disposed in the lower portion, the spring having a central opening defined by a plurality of coils and being movable between an expanded state and a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the coils of the spring are coated with a substantially resilient material so that when the spring is in its compressed state and the coils are in contact with one another, the resilient material forms a gas-tight seal between the coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic Recovery: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 3

as the pressure of the control gas increases, the control gas at the upper portion inlet opening applies increased pressure to a surface of the piston to move the piston toward the spring, thereby causing the plate to compress the spring against a force of a constant of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2999907B1Spring controlled valve
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 PROPORTIONAIR INCORPORATED
  • EP2999907B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2999907B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2999907B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a spring controlled valve including a spring (14) being movable between an expanded position wherein coils of the spring are spaced apart from one another thereby permitting gas flow through the valve and a compressed position wherein the coils are in contact with one another thereby substantially preventing gas flow through the valve.