Temperature Activated Valve Trigger with Composite Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure relief valve technologies using temperature-activated triggers often fail to effectively transmit tensile forces to actuate the valve due to the use of elastic materials that become stretched rather than displacing the trigger, leading to incomplete valve actuation.
Innovation Solution
A valve design incorporating a temperature-responsive trigger portion with composite material segments, including shape-changing and relatively inelastic components connected in series, which exert tensile forces to displace the trigger and open the valve in response to heat and pressure differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a temperature activated trigger is made from relatively elastic material, then the trigger can be stretched by tensile forces, but the tensile forces are not transmitted to effect displacement of the trigger for actuation of the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining shape memory alloy (SMA) segments with relatively inelastic material segments in series within the temperature activated trigger. The SMA segments generate tensile forces in response to temperature changes, while the inelastic segments ensure these forces are transmitted to displace the trigger and actuate the valve, resolving the contradiction between material elasticity and force transmission.
2Temperature
If the temperature activated trigger is made from shape memory alloy, then the trigger can change shape in response to heat, but the tensile forces produced are not transmitted to effect valve actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines shape memory alloy segments with relatively inelastic material segments in series. The SMA segments provide thermal responsiveness by changing shape and generating tensile forces when heated, while the inelastic segments ensure reliable transmission of these forces to displace the trigger and actuate the valve, thereby achieving both thermal response and reliable actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The relatively inelastic material segments act as intermediaries between the shape memory alloy segments and the trigger displacement mechanism. These intermediary segments transmit the tensile forces generated by the SMA segments to the trigger, ensuring that the thermal response is effectively converted into reliable mechanical actuation.
3Force
If the trigger portion is made from relatively inelastic material, then the tensile forces are transmitted effectively, but the trigger cannot be stretched by the tensile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature activated trigger into multiple distinct segments: shape memory alloy segments that can change shape and generate forces, and relatively inelastic material segments that transmit these forces. This segmentation allows different portions of the trigger to perform different functions - the SMA segments provide shape change and force generation, while the inelastic segments provide force transmission without excessive elongation.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining shape memory alloy segments with relatively inelastic material segments in series, the patent creates a composite trigger structure where each material type contributes its advantageous properties. The SMA segments provide shape change capability and force generation, while the inelastic segments ensure effective force transmission to the valve actuation mechanism.
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
Ensures reliable valve actuation by transmitting tensile forces efficiently, allowing the valve to open in response to both thermal and pressure stimuli, thereby preventing vessel failure during extreme heat exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a shape changing material-comprising component configured to assume a change in shape in response to receiving of heat energy by the temperature responsive trigger segment
Implementation Method 2
a relatively inelastic material-comprising component having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shape changing material-comprising component
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A temperature activated valve is provided comprising a trigger for effecting actuation of the valve. The trigger includes a temperature responsive trigger portion including a plurality of constituent trigger segments connected to one another in series. The constituent trigger segments include a plurality of temperature responsive trigger segments. Each one of the temperature responsive trigger segments, independently, includes a composite material, the composite material including: (a) a shape changing material-comprising component configured to assume a change in shape in response to receiving of heat energy by the temperature responsive trigger segment, and (b) a relatively inelastic material-comprising component having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shape changing material-comprising component.