Spring-Loaded Control Valve for Compressed Gas Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed gas-operated medical instruments face challenges in regulating gas pressure efficiently with simple and space-effective means, leading to potential over-pressurization and inefficient use of gas cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A compressed gas-operated instrument with a control valve system that automatically limits pressure by using a spring-loaded valve body and a closing body with a small cross-sectional passage, ensuring the instrument operates within a regulated pressure range and gradually empties the gas cartridge, preventing sudden pressure releases and ensuring a full cartridge is used each time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a control valve is used to regulate compressed gas pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve system is designed to automatically regulate gas pressure without external control mechanisms. The valve body with different cross-sectional areas creates a pressure differential that automatically actuates the valve to open or close, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control electronics. The system serves itself by using the compressed gas pressure to control its own operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles to achieve pressure control. The valve body has a first cross-sectional area exposed to upstream pressure and a second cross-sectional area exposed to downstream pressure, creating a pressure differential force that actuates the valve. This pneumatic actuation mechanism replaces complex mechanical or electronic control systems with a simple pressure-based control approach.
2Stress or pressure
If a traditional pressure regulator is used, then pressure regulation is achieved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the control valve body with the supply channel structure. The valve body is integrated into the connection element and supply channel assembly, eliminating the need for a separate, bulky pressure regulator housing. The sealing elements and valve components are combined in a compact arrangement that reduces overall space requirements while maintaining pressure regulation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve components are nested within the supply channel structure. The valve body is positioned within the supply channel, and the sealing elements are nested within grooves and chambers of the connection element. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and minimizes the external dimensions of the pressure regulation system.
3Productivity
If compressed gas flows freely through the supply channel, then gas delivery is efficient, but over-pressurization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the downstream pressure acts on the second cross-sectional area of the valve body, creating a counteracting force against the spring element. When downstream pressure increases, the pressure differential force decreases, causing the valve to close and reduce flow. This automatic feedback control prevents over-pressurization while maintaining efficient gas delivery during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the flow parameters by adjusting the valve opening degree based on pressure conditions. The valve body position changes in response to pressure differential variations, automatically modulating the flow cross-section to maintain pressure within safe limits while allowing efficient flow when pressure is adequate.
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 solution effectively regulates gas pressure, prevents over-pressurization, and ensures efficient use of compressed gas cartridges by automatically limiting pressure and gradually emptying them, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the valve body is held in the open position by the spring element
Implementation Method 2
the pressure differential acting on the valve body increases because the cross-sectional area enclosed by the second seal is smaller than the cross-sectional area enclosed by the first seal. When a certain value is exceeded, the differential force that acts on the valve body due to the compressed gas is greater than the force of the spring element
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to simplify the design of a control valve in a pressurized gas-operated instrument with a connection for a pressurized gas cartridge, to which the cartridge can be sealed and connected to a supply channel for pressurized gas flowing from the cartridge, and with a control valve in the supply channel that influences the pressurized gas flow through the supply channel, it is proposed that the control valve comprise a valve body slidably mounted in a valve chamber, sealed against the wall of the valve chamber by means of a first seal; that the valve body is sealed on its upstream side to a connection element by means of a second seal and is also slidable relative to the connection element when displaced in the valve chamber; that the connection element has a continuous flow channel and is sealed on the inlet side to the supply channel.that the valve body has a flow passage which is connected on the outflow side to the supply channel which connects to the valve chamber downstream, that the valve body is displaceable in the valve chamber between an open position in which there is a flow connection between the flow channel of the connecting element and the flow passage of the valve body, and a closed position in which the valve body seals against the flow channel of the connecting element and closes it by means of a spring element which biases the valve body towards the open position, and that the cross-sectional area of the valve body enclosed by the first seal is larger than the cross-sectional area enclosed by the second seal.