Integrity protection for pressurized bi-directional systems
View Patent ↗Excess flow valve devices, which are responsive to pressure and flow conditions in a bi-directional system, including structures to restrict flow in one direction through openings of a stopper of an excess flow valve based on balancing forces from at least a spring and a frictional force caused by the flow. Bi-directional system employing at least one pressure delayer responsive to pressure and flow impulses to protect a tank valve of a storage tank or a regulator during a refill phase or a discharge phase.
1. A bi-directional system, comprising:
a storage tank;
a regulator;
a spending line connecting the storage tank to the regulator;
a fill line connected to the spending line;
a check valve between the storage tank and the fill line and configured to allow flow into the storage tank;
a tank valve between the storage tank and the fill line and in parallel with the check valve; and
a distal pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the fill line and an outlet connected to the tank valve.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the distal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the distal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the distal pressure delayer.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a proximal pressure delayer valve having an inlet connected to the storage tank and an outlet connected to the tank valve.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the proximal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the proximal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the proximal pressure delayer.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an output pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the tank valve and an outlet connected to the regulator.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the output pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the output pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the output pressure delayer.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mid-stage valve disposed downstream of the regulator.
8. A bi-directional system, comprising:
a storage tank;
a regulator;
a spending line connecting the storage tank to the regulator;
a fill line connected to the spending line;
a check valve between the storage tank and the fill line and configured to allow flow into the storage tank;
a tank valve between the storage tank and the fill line and in parallel with the check valve; and
an output pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the tank valve and an outlet connected to the regulator.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the output pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the output pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the output pressure delayer.
10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a distal pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the fill line and an outlet connected to the tank valve.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the distal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the distal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the distal pressure delayer.
12. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a proximal pressure delayer valve having an inlet connected to the storage tank and an outlet connected to the tank valve.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the proximal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the proximal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the proximal pressure delayer.
14. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a mid-stage valve disposed downstream of the regulator.
15. A method of controlling fluid flow, comprising:
during a refill phase, receiving a first flow impulse of a fluid from a fill line to a bi-directional spending line, whereby the first flow impulse is directed toward a tank valve of a storage tank and a regulator connected by the spending line;
delaying the first flow impulse to the tank valve, wherein the tank valve is disposed between the fill line and a storage tank, whereby the fluid is substantially directed to the storage tank through a check valve connected to the storage tank in parallel with the tank valve; and
delaying the first flow impulse to the regulator, whereby leakage of the regulator during the refill phase is reduced.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein delaying the first flow impulse to the tank valve further comprises: reducing a flow path in a distal pressure delayer in response to friction in the distal pressure delayer caused by the first flow impulse.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein delaying the first flow impulse to the regulator further comprises: reducing a flow path in an output pressure delayer in response to friction in the output pressure delayer caused by the first flow impulse.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
during a discharge phase, receiving a second flow impulse from the storage tank to the spending line; and
delaying the second flow impulse to the regulator, whereby leakage of the regulator during the discharge phase is reduced.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein delaying the second flow impulse to the regulator further comprises: reducing a flow path in an output pressure delayer in response to friction in an output pressure delayer caused by the second flow impulse.