Universal Fuel Gas Valve with Adjustable Regulation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel gas valves for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas have complex structures, require a large number of parts, are costly to produce, and difficult to assemble and operate.
Innovation Solution
A fuel gas valve with a simplified structure, reduced number of parts, and a regulation device that includes an intermediary member, pin axle, spring, fine adjustment knob, and dual-spring unit, allowing for easy assembly and operation while adjusting flow rates for both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel gas valve is designed to support different gas pressures and burning efficiencies for both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, then the valve can be universally applicable to both fuel types, but the structure becomes complicated and requires a large number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with a universal structure that can handle both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas by incorporating adjustable components. The flow channel and valve opening can be regulated to accommodate different gas pressures and flow rates required for both fuel types, eliminating the need for separate valves for each gas type.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates an adjustable regulation mechanism with a valve opening that can be dynamically modified. By changing the size and shape of the valve opening, the valve can adapt to different operating conditions for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-structure valves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel gas valve is designed with a complicated structure to support both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, then it can be universally applicable, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses a universal valve body design with adjustable components rather than multiple specialized valves. This approach reduces production costs by manufacturing a single base structure that can serve both fuel types, rather than producing separate valves for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly. The valve opening, flow channel, and adjustment components are merged into one unit that can be manufactured as a single structure, reducing production complexity and cost compared to assembling multiple separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel gas valve is designed with a complicated structure to support both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, then it can be universally applicable, but it becomes difficult to assemble and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve features a simple adjustment mechanism that allows users to easily modify the valve opening size by rotating an adjustment component. This dynamic adjustment capability enables easy operation for both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas without requiring complex procedures or specialized knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is divided into modular components including the valve body, regulation mechanism, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining the universal functionality required for both fuel types.
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 reduces production costs, simplifies assembly and operation, and effectively adjusts flow rates to accommodate both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, addressing the complexities and costs of existing valves.
Implementation Method 1
the spring being located in the axle hole of the intermediary member and having a top end supported on a bottom surface of the circumferential protrusion portion of the pin axle and a bottom end supported on an internal wall of the intermediary member to provide the pin axle with an upward-biasing elastic preloading force
Implementation Method 2
the switching device, when coupled with the intermediary member, drives the pin axle and the external spring and the internal spring to be pressed for downward moving to cause deformation of the deformable portion of the sealing gasket to change a volume of the flow channel to achieve adjustment of a pressure of the fuel gas flowing out of the outlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel gas valve applicable to natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas including a valve body having a flow channel having a valve opening, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; a top cover mounted to the valve body and having a mounting hole, a small flame limiting portion, and a large flame limiting portion; a sealing gasket interposed between the valve body and the top cover and having a deformable portion; a regulation device disposed in the mounting hole and including an intermediary member, a pin axle, a spring, a fine adjustment knob, a plug axle unit, and a dual-spring unit; a drive interface including a limiting projection and connected to the intermediary member for driving the regulation device to change a gap between the plug axle unit and the valve opening to regulate the flow rate of fuel gas passing through the valve opening for adjusting a flame.