Pressure Vessel Valve Block Isolation for Gas Safety Valve Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic safety systems require time-consuming and resource-intensive decommissioning processes when gas safety valves are removed for maintenance, leading to significant gas losses and system depressurization, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A security system with at least two gas safety valves connected to a valve block, where a controllable valve ensures a permanent gas-carrying connection between the pressure accumulator and another gas safety valve, allowing for safe removal and maintenance without depressurizing the hydraulic system, using mechanical, electrical, or chip-controlled actuation concepts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a gas safety valve is removed from the valve block for maintenance, then the valve can be serviced or replaced, but the hydraulic system must be depressurized and gas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas safety function into multiple independent valves (at least two gas safety valves) that can be serviced separately. Each valve has its own controllable valve for isolation, allowing one valve to be maintained while the other remains operational and retains pressure in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameters by introducing controllable valves that can switch between open and closed positions. This allows the system to maintain pressure (different parameter state) during maintenance by isolating the specific valve being serviced from the pressure source.
2Ease of repair
If a gas safety valve is removed for maintenance, then the valve can be serviced, but time-consuming decommissioning and recommissioning processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The controllable valves are pre-installed and positioned in the gas-carrying connections before maintenance is needed. These valves can be closed immediately to isolate the specific gas safety valve, eliminating the need for time-consuming system depressurization and decommissioning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous safety functionality by having at least two gas safety valves, where one can be maintained while the other remains operational. This continuity eliminates downtime and allows maintenance to be performed without interrupting the overall safety function of the hydraulic system.
3Productivity
If multiple gas safety valves are connected to the valve block, then maintenance can be performed without system depressurization, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each gas safety valve assembly (gas safety valve + controllable valve combination) serves as a universal module that can independently perform the safety function. This modular approach allows the system to handle multiple valves with a standardized configuration, making the increased complexity manageable through functional equivalence.
4Loss of substance
If the gas-carrying connection is blocked by a controllable valve, then gas losses are prevented, but the system requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The controllable valve acts as an intermediary element inserted into the gas-carrying connection between the pressure accumulator and the gas safety valve. This intermediary component enables precise control over gas flow, allowing isolation of specific valves for maintenance while preventing gas loss and maintaining system pressure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety system with a valve block (10) to which at least one gas safety valve (12, 14) is detachably connected, comprising at least one controllable valve (50, 52, 58) in or on the valve block (10) and at least one pressure accumulator (42) that receives a gaseous pressure medium and is also detachably connected to the valve block (10). The invention is characterised in that a gas-conducting connection extending at least in sections in the valve block (10), between the respectively connected pressure accumulator (42) and the respectively connected gas safety valve (12, 14), can be locked or released by means of the valve (50, 52, 58).