Break-Away Surge Guard Valve for Gas Pressure Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surge guards for gas supply lines do not adequately prevent pressure shocks from impacting downstream pressure regulators and fail to inhibit the free release of pressurized gas if damaged.
Innovation Solution
A gas valve with a movable shutter and designed weak points that slowly introduces pressure to prevent adiabatic compression and automatically closes upon impact, featuring a break-away design to prevent uncontrolled gas release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional surge guard is used to prevent pressure shocks, then the downstream pressure regulator is protected from pressure shocks, but the surge guard allows free release of pressurized gas if accidentally broken
Solution Approach 1:
The surge guard valve body is segmented into a main body and a removable surge guard component. This segmentation allows the surge guard to be independently replaced or serviced without affecting the entire valve assembly, improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining both pressure shock protection and gas containment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The surge guard incorporates a break-away feature with a predetermined fracture point that allows controlled separation under excessive force. This beforehand cushioning mechanism prevents the entire valve from failing catastrophically by allowing the surge guard portion to break away and release pressure gradually, protecting both the pressure regulator and maintaining gas containment through the closed valve mechanism.
2Temperature
If the surge guard is designed to be break-away for safety, then it can release pressure in case of overheating or blockage, but it cannot prevent free release of pressurized gas if broken
Solution Approach 1:
The valve shutter incorporates a resilient biasing mechanism that dynamically responds to pressure and temperature conditions. The shutter can flex and adjust its position based on thermal expansion or pressure changes, maintaining gas containment while allowing controlled pressure release through the break-away feature when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve shutter acts as an intermediary between the upstream pressure source and downstream system. It provides a controlled interface that can gradually reduce pressure through its movement and sealing surfaces, preventing sudden gas release even when the break-away feature is activated for thermal protection.
3Reliability
If a valve shutter mechanism is added to automatically close upon impact, then gas containment is improved upon damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve shutter is equipped with a resilient biasing mechanism that automatically returns the shutter to its closed position upon impact or failure. This self-service feature eliminates the need for external actuators, sensors, or control systems, achieving automatic gas containment while minimizing device complexity through passive mechanical design.
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 gas valve effectively mitigates pressure shocks and ensures controlled gas release, even if damaged, by gradually introducing pressure and automatically closing to prevent sudden gas discharge.
Implementation Method 1
The surge guard prevents the downstream pressure regulator from being hit with a sudden gas pressure shock from the gas cylinder when the pressure regulator is opened. Such a pressure shock can result in an increased temperature in the supply line due to adiabatic compression
Data Source
AI summary
A gas valve that includes a valve body that extends along an axis of the valve. The body has an internal valve seat. An outer surface of the body includes a break-away reduced diameter region that is located axially downstream of the seat. A valve shutter is movable along the axis within the body between a valve open position and a valve closed position. The valve shutter includes a central fluid channel extending along the axis and having a varying diameter along the axis. A sealing surface is located radially outward of the central fluid channel and engages the seat when the valve shutter is in the valve closed position. A radially-extending duct extends from a fluid inlet on an outer surface of the valve shutter to a fluid outlet to the central fluid channel. The valve shutter includes a further break-away reduced diameter region that is located axially downstream of the sealing surface.