Valve Assembly Ceramic Washer Electrical Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical isolation systems for fluid pipework are not optimal due to susceptibility to fire damage, potential for omission during installation, and vulnerability to mechanical bending loads, which can cause electrical connections to be compromised, posing risks of fires and explosions, especially in systems handling flammable or explosive fluids.
Innovation Solution
A safety valve assembly with a connection fitting using ceramic washers for electrical isolation, which are thermally resistant and axially spaced to resist mechanical bending loads, ensuring that the first and second tubular members remain electrically isolated and providing a compact, integrated solution for emergency shut-off and electrical isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic pipework fittings are used for electrical isolation, then electrical isolation is achieved, but fire resistance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection fitting uses a composite structure combining metal components (for mechanical strength and pressure containment) with ceramic washers (for electrical isolation and fire resistance). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve electrical isolation, fire resistance, and mechanical durability that single materials cannot provide alone.
2Reliability
If additional pipework fittings are used for electrical isolation, then electrical isolation is provided, but device complexity and installation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical isolation function is merged into the connection fitting itself through the incorporation of ceramic washers within the fitting structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrical isolation components, reducing the total number of parts, simplifying installation, and reducing the risk of omission during construction.
3Reliability
If intermediate non-conducting barriers are used in ECV, then electrical isolation is achieved, but resistance to bending loads is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection fitting employs a composite design where metal components provide structural strength and bending load resistance, while ceramic washers provide electrical isolation. The metal housing and tubular members form a rigid structure that can withstand bending loads, while the ceramic washers maintain electrical separation between inlet and outlet portions even under mechanical stress.
4Reliability
If plastic barriers are used for electrical isolation, then electrical isolation is achieved, but thermal resistance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter for electrical isolation is changed from plastic to ceramic. This parameter change simultaneously improves both fire resistance (thermal stability) and maintains electrical isolation properties, as ceramic materials have both high dielectric strength and high temperature resistance.
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 effectively maintains electrical isolation even under fire conditions and mechanical stress, preventing electrical connections from being compromised, thus ensuring safety and reliability in fluid supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
each washer is composed of electrically insulating, thermally resistant material, thereby enabling electrical isolation of the first and second tubular members from one another
Implementation Method 2
each washer is composed of electrically insulating, thermally resistant material
Implementation Method 3
each washer in the pair of washers is positioned in an axially spaced relationship relative to the other washer... so as to maintain the first tubular member in a non-contacting arrangement relative to the second tubular member to restrict relative movement therebetween
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A safety valve assembly for connection to a fluid supply line, comprising: a valve unit (3), having a first end (9) and a second end (11) defining an axis (13) therebetween, said valve unit comprising a valve (15) between said first and second ends; and a connection fitting (5) for fluidly connecting the first end of the valve unit to the fluid supply line, the connection fitting comprising: a first tubular member (17) fittable to, or integral, with the first end of the valve unit; a second tubular member (27) adapted for receiving the fluid supply line; and a pair of washers (33,35) locatable between said first and second tubular members so as to maintain the first tubular member in a non-contacting arrangement relative to the second tubular member to restrict relative movement therebetween; wherein one of the first and second tubular members is locatable within the other tubular member, each washer in the pair of washers is positionable in an axially spaced relationship relative to the other washer, and wherein each washer is composed of electrically insulating, thermally resistant material, thereby enabling electrical isolation of the first and second tubular members from one another.