Tube Pressure Regulating Valve with Annular Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a precise pressure regulating device that can control fluid pressures at very low levels, such as those found in body cavities or blood vessels, which must be hygienic, medically compatible, and capable of automatic control via a remote pressure signal, with components that are either disposable or autoclavable.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating valve with a simple tube-like configuration, featuring a body with separate inlet and outlet chambers, a reference housing, and an annular membrane that engages or disengages based on pressure differentials, made from medically compatible materials and coated to prevent blood clotting, allowing for precise flow control and venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex pressure regulating device is used to achieve precise pressure control at very low levels, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the core pressure-sensing element that responds to pressure differentials by flexing. This thin film structure replaces complex mechanical pressure-sensing mechanisms, achieving precise pressure control through the membrane's natural elastic response to pressure changes, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles where the membrane separates two pressure zones (process pressure and reference pressure). The pressure differential itself drives the membrane movement and valve operation, eliminating the need for external power sources, actuators, or complex control systems, thus achieving precise pressure regulation with minimal device complexity
2Extent of automation
If a pressure regulating valve is designed for automatic control through remote pressure signal, then extent of automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve achieves automatic control through self-service operation where the membrane automatically responds to pressure differentials between the process side and reference pressure source. The system requires no external control signals, power sources, or active components - the pressure differential itself drives the membrane to open or close the valve, providing fully automatic pressure regulation while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The reference pressure source provides a feedback mechanism where the membrane continuously compares process pressure against the reference pressure. When process pressure exceeds reference pressure, the membrane deflects to close the valve; when reference pressure is higher, the membrane opens the valve. This inherent feedback loop enables automatic pressure control without complex control systems
3Reliability
If the valve components are made from medically compatible materials with surface treatments to prevent blood clotting, then reliability and safety are improved, but manufacturing precision and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction where the valve body and components are made from medically compatible materials such as biocompatible polymers or metals with appropriate surface properties. The membrane itself acts as a barrier layer that is inherently biocompatible, eliminating the need for complex surface treatments while ensuring reliability and safety for medical applications involving bodily fluids
4Measurement precision
If the membrane is made very thin to improve pressure sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible membrane with optimized thickness that balances sensitivity and strength. The membrane is thin enough to be highly responsive to pressure differentials, providing excellent measurement precision, yet sufficiently thick and properly supported by the valve body structure to maintain structural integrity and prevent rupture under operating conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and strength
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 fluid pressures, ensuring precise control and safety in medical applications by preventing blood clotting and allowing for automatic adjustment based on reference pressures, while being suitable for use with bodily fluids and compatible with medical standards.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is arranged such that, when the reference pressure is higher than the process pressure the membrane is engaged with the at least one outlet passage, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the membrane is not engaged with the outlet passage
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulating valve includes a body having an outer surface, the interior of the body defining an inlet chamber adapted to receive a fluid at a process pressure, and an outlet chamber. The body includes at least one inlet passage communicating with the inlet chamber and the outer surface, and at least one outlet passage communicating with the outer surface and the outlet chamber. A reference housing is adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a predetermined reference pressure. An annular membrane is disposed between the body and the reference housing, so as to circumscribe the inlet and outlet passages. The membrane is arranged such that, when the reference pressure is higher than the process pressure the membrane engages at least one outlet passage, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the membrane is not engaged with the outlet passage.