Vent Limiting Valve for Regulators Without External Vent Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid regulators require costly and time-consuming external vent piping to prevent process fluid from being vented into internal environments in case of component failure, which also occupies significant space.
Innovation Solution
A vent limiting device coupled to the exhaust vent of fluid regulators, comprising a housing, a poppet, and a retaining element, which controls fluid flow to maintain atmospheric pressure and prevent fluid leakage by moving between open and closed positions in response to pressure changes, eliminating the need for external vent piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external vent piping is installed to vent process gas to external environment, then safety is improved by preventing fire hazards and damage, but installation cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function and flow limitation function into a single integrated device (vent limiting device) that replaces the need for separate external vent piping. The housing integrates the poppet valve mechanism and flow restriction elements, merging multiple functions into one compact component that can be installed directly on the regulator without requiring external piping infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent limiting device is designed to be nested within or directly coupled to the existing regulator body structure. The housing of the vent limiting device can be mounted within the regulator casing or directly coupled to the vent outlet, utilizing the existing structural space rather than requiring separate external piping installation.
2Reliability
If external vent piping is installed to vent process gas, then safety is improved by preventing fire hazards, but space occupation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vent limiting device combines the venting pathway and flow restriction into a single integrated component mounted directly on the regulator. This eliminates the need for separate external vent pipes that would occupy significant space, as the housing itself serves as both the vent outlet and flow limitation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional external piping system to a compact two-dimensional integrated housing structure. The flow passageway within the housing provides the venting pathway in a planar configuration rather than requiring external volumetric piping, significantly reducing space occupation while maintaining safety functionality.
3Reliability
If external vent piping is installed to prevent fire hazards, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the venting system and flow limitation system into a single integrated vent limiting device. The housing contains both the vent outlet and the poppet valve mechanism with flow restriction features, eliminating the need for separate external vent piping and reducing overall system complexity despite maintaining safety functionality.
4Reliability
If vent piping is installed to vent process gas externally, then safety is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vent limiting device integrates multiple functions (venting, flow limitation, pressure regulation) into a single manufacturable component. The housing can be produced as a single molded or machined piece with integrated flow passageways and mounting features, reducing manufacturing steps and assembly costs compared to separate external piping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The poppet valve mechanism in the housing automatically responds to pressure changes without requiring external control systems or manual intervention. The spring-loaded poppet self-regulates the venting process based on inlet pressure conditions, eliminating the need for complex control systems and reducing maintenance requirements.
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 vent limiting device effectively maintains atmospheric pressure within the fluid regulator and prevents fluid leakage, reducing installation and maintenance costs while minimizing space requirements, adhering to standards like ANSI Z21.80 by limiting flow to less than 2.5 standard cubic feet per hour at specified pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The poppet is movable relative to the seat, responsive to pressure changes at the fluid inlet, to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway
Implementation Method 2
a closed position, in which the poppet sealingly engages the seat, thereby preventing fluid flow through the fluid passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A vent limiting device adapted to be operably coupled to an exhaust vent of a fluid regulator. The vent limiting device includes a housing, a poppet disposed in the housing, and a retaining element arranged to retain the poppet in the housing. The housing has a fluid passageway extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The poppet is movably disposed in the housing, responsive to pressure at the fluid outlet, to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The housing includes one or more retaining features that engage the retaining element to retain the retaining element in the housing.