DIRECT ACTION OF OUTPUT AND INPUT PRESSURE

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the field of mechanical engineering, i.e. gas technology, more precisely to the field of regulating equipment for natural gas, propane-butane and other technical gases.

According to the International Patent Classification, the invention is classified in class G 05 D 16/06, which defines regulation of fluid pressure, without auxiliary energy, with a sensitive element, which is subject to pressure as an elastic element, e.g. diaphragm, bell, capsule. The invention is even more precisely classified by class F 16 L 55/02 defining devices or accessories for use with or in connection with pipes or tube energy absorption systems.

Technical problem

The technical problem solved by the present invention consists in how to resolve in a constructive way an axial gas pressure regulator of direct action of output and input pressure, in order to, by using a housing of a regulator in which a nozzle is slidingly movably placed and, in face of her, is fixly placed a shutter on the side of output, and a housing of membrane assembly in which is placed a membrane on one side, pressed by a regulation spring, while on the other side is coupled with a movable lever, which is by its lower part rotatably connected to the moving nozzle, while it is connected to space of membrane assembly by impulse tube which is by its other end connected with output assembly, enabling regulation of outlet pressure to be constant, independent of change of input pressure, with multiple increase in capacity (throughput), and with the same components of input pressure regulation, without the need to change the nozzle of different dimensions and with the possibility of application, both for natural gas and for raw natural gas with a higher content of moisture and of heavy hydrocarbons (butane, pentane, etc.), with the regulator being robust and reliable in operation and easy for maintenance and replacement of parts, whereby the regulator would function without actuators and special regulation devices.

Background Art

The applicant has knowledge of a solution of the regulator of the company "Fisher" (now "Emerson" USA) type 630-BIG JOE regulator. The mentioned regulator belongs to a group of axial regulators with a fixed nozzle and movable shutter which regulates the preset pressure by a lever, a membrane assembly and a spring. This input pressure regulator up to 100 bars has 5 or more fixed nozzles. The nozzle size is determined by the input and output pressure, and for each area of input pressure the appropriate nozzle must be installed. The disadvantage of this regulator is that it is necessary to constantly replace the nozzle of the appropriate size for various ranges of input pressure. Also, the construction of the regulator itself is such that the capacity of the regulator is relatively small.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem is- successfully solved by the axial gas pressure regulator of direct action of output and input pressure. The axial gas pressure regulator of direct actiion, according to the present invention and the basic variant is derived from housing of a regulator in which a movable balanced nozzle is slidingly movably placed and, in face of her, is fixly placed a shutter on the side of output connection. With the housing of the regulator is connected the

housing of membrane assembly in which is placed a membrane on one side, pressed by a regulation spring, while on the other side is coupled with a movable lever. The movable lever is by its lower side rotatably connected to the moving balanced nozzle. To space of membrane assembly is connected an impulse tube which is by its other end connected with output assembly. The axial pressure regulator according to the present invention has a universal function. Namely, in the basic version it functions as the output pressure regulator, regardless of the input pressure, and in variant I (with the same components) it functions as an input pressure regulator. Then the membrane assembly is turned around 180° in relation to the regulator body, and the impulse tube is placed at the gas input (input port), in order to control-maintain the input pressure.

Advantages of this solution of the axial gas pressure regulator of direct action of output and input pressure are reflected in that it is a regulator that provides a constant value of output pressure within the regulation group, regardless of the change in input pressure. For regulation of gas pressure is used a movable balanced nozzle. The axial gas pressure regulator of direct action with completely identical elements serves as an output pressure regulator and as an input pressure regulator. When the regulator is in function of input gas pressure, the membrane assembly is rotated at an angle of 180°, the impulse tube is placed at the gas input for control - maintaining of input pressure.

Therefore, the same construction, with the same components, allows regulation of output pressure and input pressure, with multiple increased capacity (throughput) without the need to change the nozzle of different dimensions. This regulator has the ability to apply for natural gas and raw natural gas with higher content of moisture and heavy hydrocarbons (butane, pentane, etc.). The variant when the regulator is in function of input pressure can also be used as a safety valve or a shut-off valve. With the above-mentioned, the regulator is of robust construction, reliable in operation and easy to maintain and replace parts, while it operates without actuators and special regulation devices. Brief Description of Drawings

The invention is explained in detail by accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1. Displays the vertical cross-section of ^" the axial regulator assembly when in function of output pressure regulation;

- Figure 2. Displays the section "A-A" from Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3. Displays the vertical cross-section of the axial regulator assembly when in function of input pressure function.

Detailed Description of Invention

The axial gas pressure regulator of direct action of output and input pressure, according to the basic variant of performance, is derived from housing 01 of the regulator, in which in sliding bearings 17 is axially movably placed nozzle 03. Opposite of nozzle 03, in housing 01 , is tightened fixed shutter 04 with gaskets 041 , which is double symmetrical. On the left side of housing 01 , input connector 14 is attached via coils and gaskets. On the right side of housing 01 , output connector 15 is attached through coils and gaskets. In the body of housing 01 , overflow line 01 1 is performed, which connects nozzle 03 to the output connector 021. To housing 01 , housing 09 of membrane assembly 10 is connected by screws 091. By connector 092, impulse tube 093 is connected, through lines 11 1 , to output assembly 02 and output connector 021 , while with connector 094 it is connected to housing 09, which is a method of connection to the internal impulse. It is also possible to connect to the external impulse, whereby the impulse pipe 093 instead of output circuit 02 is connected further, downstream, and in this case line 1 1 1 at output assembly 02 is closed by cork 15. In housing 09, in cocoon 08, by axle 07 is revers!y articulated lever 05. Lever 05, by its lower end, via axle 06, is rotatably connected to nozzle 03. In the upper part, lever 05 is rotatably, via axle 103 and roller 104, connected to the lower tensioner 102 of membrane M of membrane assembly 10. Membrane assembly 10, by screws 101 , is fixed between housing 09 and housing 11. Regulation spring 12 is supported to membrane assembly 10, and on the other side it is pressed by regulation screw 13 which is curved in cover 1.32 and secured from unwinding by nut 133. Screw 13 and nut 133 are protected by cover 134, which is screwed onto cover 132.

According to variant I, the axial gas pressure regulator of direct action of output and input pressure is performed as in the basic variant, only that (Fig. 3) membrane assembly is rotated at an angle of 180 °, whereby the impulse tube is connected by the lower part with housing 01 and input connector 14, while in the upper part, as in the basic variant, with housing 09 of membrane assembly 10. In this way, via impulse tube 093, input pressure is transfered to membrane assembly 10 and its (input pressure) regulation is performed due to the preset compression force of spring 12 on membrane assembly 10, which is a method of joining to the internal impulse. It is also possible to connect to an external pulse, whereupon impulse tube 093, instead on housing 01 , is connected further to the current, and in this case line 1 12 on housing 01 is is closed by cork 15.

Industrial Applicability

The axial gas pressure regulator of direct action is a regulator that provides constant value of the output pressure within the regulation group, independent of change of input pressure. This regulator in function of output pressure regulation in case of failure or membrane damage, remains open. The regulator in function of input pressure regulation, safety valve and overpressure valve, if it fails, remains closed. It can be used for horizontal and vertical installation as well as for all other possible positions.

In initial state, in function of output pressure, when there is no gas in the installation, the regulator is in open position (Figure 1 ), i.e. membrane assembly 10 under action of spring force 12, via axle 103 and roll 104, moves moving lever 05. Lever 05 around fixed axle 07 and via nimble axles 06 moves movable balanced nozzle 03 in relation to fixed shutter 04, i.e. its gasket 041 , thereby fully opening the regulator. Outlet pressure of gas through impulse tube 093 acts on lower surface of membrane assembly 10 and overcomes the force of spring 12, by pulling movable lever 05 which moves moving nozzle 03 in a controlled manner and thereby regulates the pressure on given pressure. When the pressure in output assembly 02, i.e. impulse tube 093 has a tendency to grow, the regulator automatically starts shuting, and in case of tendency of fall of given pressure, the regulator opens. Force of spring 12 is assigned by regulation screw 13.

In the initial state in function of the input pressure (Fig. 3), when there is no gas in the installation, the regulator is in the closed position, i.e. membrane assembly 10 under force of spring 12, via axle 103 and roll 104, moves lever 05. Lever 05, around fixed axle 07 and via nimble axles 06, moves moving nozzle 03 towards shutter 04, thereby closing the regulator. Input gas pressure, by impulse tube 093, operates on the lower surface of membrane assembly 10 and, in case of a pressure rise higher than the given one, it overcomes the force of spring 12, by pulling lever 05, which moves moving nozzle 03 and opens the regulator and overflows through output assembly 02. Force of spring 12 is assigned by regulation screw 13.

This solution of the axial regulator of direct action also allows for a significant reduction in noise level, which suppresing is done through openings of overflow line 01 1 at shutter 04. In case of damage to the sealing element on shutter 04 a simple intervention is enabled by turning the shutter for 180 ° and the symmetrica] side of it is used. The construction of the regulator that is subject of the application enables easy disassembly from the gas pipeline, facilitates servicing and inspection of critical elements as well as flexibility in terms of resizing and type of output connector 021 and input connector 14.