Tapered Propane Tank Valve to Prevent Flow Limiter Tripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propane gas valves often trigger flow limiting devices unnecessarily, making it difficult and time-consuming to reset the gas flow to appropriate levels, especially when initially opening the valve of the propane tank.
Innovation Solution
A propane tank valve assembly featuring a plug with a tapered portion that minimizes gas flow when initially opened, preventing the tripping of blocking components in flow limiting devices and allowing for controlled gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional valve is opened to allow gas flow, then gas flow is established, but the flow limiting device is unnecessarily triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered portion of the plug performs a preliminary action by initially minimizing gas flow when the valve is opened. This gradual opening prevents sudden high flow rates that would trigger the flow limiting device, allowing the system to transition smoothly from closed to fully open position without unnecessary triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered geometry of the plug changes the flow parameter gradually as it moves from closed to open position. The tapering shape creates a progressive increase in flow area, transforming the flow rate from minimal to maximum over the rotation range, thereby avoiding sudden flow spikes that trigger the safety device.
2Reliability
If flow limiting devices are triggered to minimize gas flow, then safety is improved, but reset time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered plug design applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the triggering condition in the first place. By controlling the opening sequence to minimize initial flow, the system avoids the harmful state of flow limiting device activation, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming resets while maintaining safety.
3Ease of operation
If a valve is designed for quick opening, then ease of operation is improved, but flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered plug performs preliminary flow control action during the opening process. As the user rotates the handle for quick operation, the tapered geometry automatically performs the precise flow control function by progressively increasing the flow area, combining ease of operation with flow control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered (curved) geometry of the plug provides smooth, progressive flow control as it moves through the opening sequence. The curved surface creates a gradual change in flow area rather than abrupt changes, maintaining precision control while allowing rapid valve operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a propane tank valve are provided. In one embodiment, the propane tank valve includes a plug with a tapered portion, the plug moveable between closed and open positions relative to a valve passageway. Upon the plug being in the closed position, the tapered portion of the plug is positioned within the valve passageway. Upon the plug being initially moved from the closed position to the open position, the tapered portion of the plug is sized and configured to initially minimize the gas flow from the valve passageway and through a flow limiting device configured to be coupled to the propane tank valve such that movement of the tapered portion from the closed plug position initially forms a gap between a tapered surface of the tapered portion and an internal surface of the valve passageway.