Vacuum-Actuated Pressure Relief Valve for Compressor Surge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves, particularly pressure relief valves, face issues such as noise, vibration, reverse flow sticking, leakage, and component wear, leading to potential system overpressure and failure, which are not effectively addressed in current designs.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief valve (PRV) system that includes a base member with an inlet and outlet, a support element with a hollow section, and moveable housing with split rings made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for sealing, which is vacuum-actuated to prevent compressor surge in supercharged or turbocharged engines by allowing trapped air to escape or recirculate, reducing friction and enhancing operational speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional valve designs are used, then the valve can control fluid flow, but the valve experiences component wear, noise, and vibration leading to leakage and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent wear, noise, and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical valve components (poppet, seat, spring) with a diaphragm-based flexible membrane system. The diaphragm flexes to control fluid flow without rigid mechanical contact, eliminating wear, noise, and vibration associated with traditional mechanical valve parts while maintaining reliable sealing and flow control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible diaphragm membrane as the primary flow control element. This thin flexible film flexes under pressure differential to open or close the valve, providing reliable sealing without mechanical contact between rigid parts, thereby eliminating component wear and reducing noise and vibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a poppet valve design is used, then the valve can seal effectively, but the valve is prone to reverse flow sticking and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidreverse flow sticking and leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm flexible membrane conforms to the valve seat geometry and flexes to seal effectively. The flexibility allows the diaphragm to adapt to surface irregularities and maintain reliable sealing without the rigid contact problems that cause reverse flow sticking and leakage in traditional poppet valve designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a rigid poppet that forces sealing contact, the patent inverts the approach by using a flexible diaphragm that passively conforms to the seat and flexes to seal. This reversal of the sealing mechanism eliminates the sticking problem inherent in rigid poppet designs while maintaining effective sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the valve opens at predetermined pressure, then the system is protected from overpressure, but the valve causes noise and vibration during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverpressure protectionVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical poppet-spring oscillating system with a flexible diaphragm that flexes smoothly to control valve opening. This substitution eliminates the hammering and vibration associated with traditional pressure relief valves while maintaining predetermined pressure protection functionality through the diaphragm's elastic response to pressure differential

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 PRV system effectively prevents compressor surge by providing a large area for fluid escape, minimizing friction resistance, and maintaining ambient pressure, thus reducing the risk of component damage and improving valve operation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

moveable housing with split rings made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for sealing, which is vacuum-actuated to prevent compressor surge in supercharged or turbocharged engines by allowing trapped air to escape or recirculate, reducing friction and enhancing operational speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10907744B1Pressure relief valve

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 VORTECH ENGINEERING LLC

AI summary

The disclosure concerns a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes a base member having a support element extending therefrom. A moveable housing is slideably attached to the support element, with the support element designed to allow the moveable housing to travel toward and away from the base member. A housing guide is located within the moveable housing, with the housing guide adjustably attached to the support element, and slideably attached to the moveable housing. During operation, the moveable housing extends from and retracts toward the base member, thereby opening and closing the pressure relief valve.