A method for self-sealing of a tank car

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-sealing method for tank truck unloading, using a self-sealing system for tank truck unloading. The self-sealing system includes a self-sealing connector, a tank truck, a first valve, a pressure gauge, a transfer pump, and a liquid storage tank. The self-sealing connector includes a male and a female self-sealing device. The self-sealing method is as follows: the male and female self-sealing devices are connected, the first valve is opened, and the transfer pump is started. When the liquid level in the liquid storage tank reaches a designated position, the first valve is closed. The negative pressure formed in the pipeline achieves self-sealing of the male and female self-sealing devices, thereby completing the self-sealing of the tank truck unloading. This invention, by adding self-sealing devices to the outlet pipeline of the tank truck and the inlet pipeline of the on-site transfer pump, and by rationally setting the self-sealing connector and the self-sealing system, prevents residual liquid in the metal hose from leaking out after tank truck unloading. This effectively solves the safety hazards, environmental pollution, and material loss caused by leakage of residual liquid in the metal hose during traditional tank truck unloading processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of equipment application technology for tank truck unloading, and in particular to a self-sealing method for tank truck unloading. Background Technology

[0002] Hazardous chemicals are used extensively in the production processes of industries such as chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, metallurgical, nuclear, food, and environmental protection. As a basic chemical raw material, hazardous chemicals are characterized by their flammability, explosiveness, toxicity, and corrosiveness. Production enterprises often use tank trucks to transport liquid materials. After the tank trucks reach the vicinity of the storage tank, they need to be unloaded. The conventional unloading process is as follows: After connecting the metal hose on the tank truck to the metal hose at the front end of the on-site transfer pump, the unloading valve on the tank truck is opened. Then, the on-site transfer pump is started to transfer the liquid material to the on-site storage tank. Once the designated liquid level is reached, the transfer pump is shut off, and then the unloading valve on the tank truck is closed. Finally, the metal hose on the tank truck is manually disconnected from the metal hose at the front end of the on-site transfer pump, completing the entire unloading process. However, because there is residual liquid in the metal hose, when the metal hose of the tank truck is disconnected from the metal hose at the front end of the on-site pump, the residual liquid in the pipe will flow out, which will bring several significant problems: (1) If the unloading liquid is a hazardous chemical with significant characteristics such as flammability, explosiveness, toxicity, and corrosiveness, the leaked material will cause fire and explosion hazards at the operation site, toxic and corrosive damage to operators, and serious safety hazards; (2) The unloading liquid will flow to the ground or evaporate into the air, causing serious environmental pollution; (3) Some unloading liquids are valuable liquids with high purchase costs. The leakage of the liquid will lead to material loss, which in turn will increase production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a self-sealing method for unloading tank trucks, so as to solve the problems of safety hazards, environmental pollution and material loss caused by the leakage of residual liquid in the metal hose during the unloading process of traditional tank trucks as mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a self-sealing method for tank truck unloading, comprising using a self-sealing system for tank truck unloading. The self-sealing system includes a self-sealing connector, a tank truck, a first valve, a pressure gauge, a transfer pump, and a liquid storage tank. The self-sealing connector includes a male self-sealing device and a female self-sealing device. The male self-sealing device is connected to the tank truck via a pipe at the tank truck's outlet end. The first valve is located on the pipe at the tank truck's outlet end. The female self-sealing device is connected to the inlet end of the transfer pump via a pipe at the inlet end of the transfer pump. The outlet end of the transfer pump is connected to the liquid storage tank via a pipe at the outlet end of the transfer pump. The pressure gauge is located on the pipe at the inlet end of the transfer pump and is interlocked with the transfer pump. The self-sealing method specifically includes:

[0005] S1. First, connect the male self-sealing device to the female self-sealing device, then press down the latching part B in the two self-sealing devices respectively, so that the pistons in the two self-sealing devices return to the open state.

[0006] S2. Open the first valve and start the transfer pump. The transfer pump continuously transfers the liquid in the tanker to the liquid storage tank. When the liquid level in the liquid storage tank reaches the designated position, close the first valve. At this time, the transfer pump continues to operate, and the pressure in the pipeline at the inlet end of the transfer pump drops to form a negative pressure. When the negative pressure value drops to the first designated value, the piston in the male self-sealing device begins to move. When the piston moves to the bottom position, the sealing sleeve on the piston completely overlaps with the sealing gasket A, thereby realizing the self-sealing of the male self-sealing device.

[0007] S3. After the male self-sealing device forms a self-sealing mechanism, the negative pressure value of the pipeline further decreases, causing the piston body in the female self-sealing device to move. When the sealing sleeve on the piston body just touches the surface of the sealing gasket B, the through hole on the sealing gasket B is in an open state. The trace amount of liquid remaining between the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device can still flow out through the through hole into the inlet pipe of the delivery pump. However, as all the residual trace amount of liquid enters the inlet pipe of the delivery pump, the sealing gasket in the female self-sealing device is deformed due to the pressure of the sealing sleeve. Finally, the through hole is completely blocked, realizing the self-sealing of the female self-sealing device.

[0008] S4. After the self-sealing device of the female head forms a self-sealing, the negative pressure value of the pipeline between the self-sealing device of the female head and the conveying pump is further reduced as the conveying pump continues to operate. When the negative pressure value of the pipeline drops to the second specified value, the pressure gauge sends an electrical signal to stop the conveying pump, thereby completing the entire process of unloading the tanker and realizing self-sealing.

[0009] Furthermore, the male self-sealing device includes a self-sealing housing, a piston body, and a snap-fit ​​fixing device. The side wall of the self-sealing housing has snap-fit ​​holes and vent holes. The piston body is disposed within the self-sealing housing and has at least one through-flow liquid channel, with a delivery pipe connected to each liquid channel. The two ends of the self-sealing housing are respectively provided with an input passage sealing plate and an output passage sealing plate. A reset device is provided between the input passage sealing plate and the piston body. The input passage sealing plate has at least one liquid inlet hole, each liquid inlet hole being connected to a corresponding delivery pipe. The output passage sealing plate has at least one liquid outlet hole, and the inner side of the output passage sealing plate has a corresponding position to the at least one liquid channel. The sealing pads A are of the same quantity; the snap-fit ​​fixing device is correspondingly arranged with the snap-fit ​​hole, and the snap-fit ​​fixing device includes snap-fit ​​component A and snap-fit ​​component B. The head end of snap-fit ​​component A is connected to the piston body, and the tail end of snap-fit ​​component A is in close contact with the inner side wall of the self-sealing housing. Snap-fit ​​component A can move under the drive of the piston body, and ultimately the tail end of snap-fit ​​component A springs into the snap-fit ​​hole; snap-fit ​​component B is rotatably mounted on the outer side wall of the self-sealing housing; the inlet end of the female self-sealing device is used to connect with the outlet end of the male self-sealing device. The female self-sealing device and the male self-sealing device are symmetrically arranged about the docking surface structure, but the sealing pad B inside the female self-sealing device has a through hole.

[0010] Furthermore, a sealing sleeve is provided on the piston body and at the outlet of each of the liquid channels; when the piston body moves to the bottom position under negative pressure, the sealing sleeve cooperates with the sealing gasket A to achieve a seal.

[0011] Furthermore, a plurality of reset devices are provided between the piston body and the input passage sealing plate. One end of the reset device is fixedly connected to the piston body, and the other end of the reset device is fixedly connected to the input passage sealing plate; the reset device is a reset spring.

[0012] Furthermore, the end of the latching component A is an outwardly inclined arc shape, and the end of the latching component A has a spherical structure; when the piston body moves to the bottom end under the action of negative pressure, the spherical structure springs into the latching hole, fixing the piston body in its self-sealing position.

[0013] Furthermore, one end of the buckle component B is rotatably connected to the connecting seat on the outer wall of the self-sealing housing via a fixed rotating bolt, and a limiting spring connected to the outer wall of the self-sealing housing is also provided in the middle of the inner side of the buckle component B.

[0014] Furthermore, the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device are respectively connected to the outlet pipe of the tank car and the inlet pipe of the delivery pump via a reducer connector.

[0015] Furthermore, the diameters of the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device are larger than the diameter of the pipe to which they are connected.

[0016] Furthermore, the tension generated by the reset device in the female self-sealing device when it is in the self-sealing position is greater than the tension generated by the reset device in the male self-sealing device when it is in the self-sealing position.

[0017] Furthermore, after completing the entire process of tank truck unloading and self-sealing, step S5 is also included: after the on-site operator observes that the delivery pump has stopped running, the flange connection between the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device is disconnected, so that the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device are separated.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The self-sealing method for tank truck unloading of this invention prevents residual liquid in the metal hose from leaking out after unloading by adding self-sealing joints to the outlet pipe of the tank truck and the inlet pipe of the on-site delivery pump, and by rationally configuring the self-sealing device and system. This invention effectively solves the safety hazards, environmental pollution, and material loss caused by leakage of residual liquid from the metal hose during traditional tank truck unloading processes. This self-sealing method features automatic self-sealing joint activation, simple operation, and convenient use and maintenance.

[0020] In addition to the objectives, features, and advantages described above, the present invention has other objectives, features, and advantages. The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate embodiments of the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the embodiments of the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-sealing system used in a tank truck unloading self-sealing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the self-sealing connector in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a detailed structural schematic diagram of the male self-sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a detailed structural schematic diagram of the piston body belonging to the male self-sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a detailed structural diagram of the input passage sealing disc belonging to the male self-sealing device in this embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a detailed structural diagram of the output passage sealing disc belonging to the male self-sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a detailed structural diagram of the buckle fixing device belonging to the male self-sealing device in this embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a comparative schematic diagram of the sealing gasket structure in the male self-sealing device and the female self-sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention; wherein, A is the sealing gasket of the male self-sealing device and B is the sealing gasket of the female self-sealing device.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a detailed structural diagram of the cooperation between the inner sealing sleeve and the piston body of the male self-sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Among them, 1-tank car, 2-male self-sealing device, 2.1-self-sealing shell, 2.1a-clamping hole, 2.1b-vent hole, 2.2-piston body, 2.2a-liquid channel, 2.3-transfer pipe, 2.4-input passage sealing plate, 2.4a-liquid inlet, 2.5-output passage sealing plate, 2.5a-liquid outlet, 2.6-reset device, 2.7-sealing gasket A, 2.8-clamping component A, 2.9-clamping component B 2.9a-Fixing rotating bolt, 2.10-Sealing sleeve, 2.11-Limiting spring, 2.12-Flange, 2.12a-Flange hole, 3-Female self-sealing device, 3.7-Sealing gasket B, 3.7a-Through hole, 4-Transfer pump, 5-Reducer connector, 6-First valve, 7-Pressure gauge, 8-Second valve, 9-Liquid storage tank, a-Tank truck outlet pipe, b-Transfer pump inlet pipe, c-Transfer pump outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Equivalent transformations or substitutions in function, method, or structure made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Please see Figure 1This invention provides a self-sealing system for unloading tank trucks, including a self-sealing connector, a tank truck 1, a first valve 6, a pressure gauge 7, a transfer pump 4, a second valve 8, and a liquid storage tank 9. The self-sealing connector includes a male self-sealing device 2 and a female self-sealing device 3. The male self-sealing device 2 is connected to the tank truck 1 via a pipe a at the tank truck's outlet end. The first valve 6 is located on the pipe a at the tank truck's outlet end. The female self-sealing device 3 is connected to the inlet end of the transfer pump 4 via a pipe b at the inlet end. The outlet end of the transfer pump 4 is connected to the liquid storage tank 9 via a pipe c at the outlet end. The pressure gauge 7 is located on the pipe c at the inlet end of the transfer pump and is interlocked with the transfer pump 4. The second valve 8 is located on the pipeline between the pressure gauge 7 and the transfer pump 4. The specific structure is as follows:

[0034] See also Figure 2 The self-sealing connector includes a male self-sealing device 2 and a female self-sealing device 3. The male self-sealing device 2 is fixedly connected to the outlet pipe of the tank truck, and the female self-sealing device 3 is fixedly connected to the inlet pipe of the transfer pump. The outlet pipe of the tank truck is a metal flexible hose provided with the tank truck 1, and the inlet pipe of the transfer pump is a metal flexible hose connected to the inlet end of the transfer pump 4 on site. The male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 are paired to form a self-sealing connector, which can realize the self-sealing of the ends of the outlet pipe a of the tank truck and the inlet pipe b of the transfer pump, preventing the leakage of residual liquid inside the metal hose. This self-sealing connector can automatically open and has the advantages of simple operation, convenient use and maintenance.

[0035] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The male self-sealing device 2 includes a self-sealing housing 2.1, a piston body 2.2, a reset device 2.6, and a snap-fit ​​fixing device. The self-sealing housing 2.1 is a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends. The side wall of the self-sealing housing 2.1 has two symmetrically arranged snap-fit ​​holes 2.1a and a vent hole 2.1b. The snap-fit ​​holes 2.1a are used to cooperate with the snap-fit ​​fixing device to realize the self-sealing and opening of the self-sealing device. The vent hole 2.1b is mainly used for ventilation and plays a role in balancing atmospheric pressure. The piston body 2.2 is a cylindrical structure housed within the self-sealing housing 2.1. Several through-flow liquid channels 2.2a are provided on the piston body 2.2, and a delivery pipe 2.3, made of flexible metal hose, is connected to each liquid channel 2.2a. An input passage sealing disc 2.4 and an output passage sealing disc 2.5 are respectively located at both ends of the self-sealing housing 2.1. Multiple reset devices 2.6, which are reset springs, are located between the input passage sealing disc 2.4 and the piston body 2.2. One end of the reset spring is fixedly connected to the piston body 2.2, and the other end is fixedly connected to the input passage sealing disc 2.4. This structure allows the piston body to return to its initial position under the tension of the reset spring.

[0036] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6The input passage sealing disc 2.4 has several evenly spaced liquid inlet holes 2.4a, each connected to a corresponding delivery pipe 2.3; that is, one end of each delivery pipe 2.3 is connected to a liquid inlet hole 2.4a, and the other end is connected to a liquid channel 2.2a. Liquid in the outlet pipe a of the tank truck enters the corresponding delivery pipe 2.3 and liquid channel 2.2a through these liquid inlet holes 2.4a, flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the self-sealing device. The inner side of the output passage sealing disc 2.5 (the side facing the piston body) has several convex sealing pads A2.7. The number and layout of the sealing pads A2.7 correspond one-to-one with the number and layout of the delivery pipes 2.3 in the male self-sealing device, sealing the liquid channel 2.2a. Specifically, the number of sealing pads A2.7 and delivery pipes 2.3 can be adjusted according to actual conditions. The output passage sealing plate 2.5 is also evenly provided with several liquid outlet holes 2.5a to facilitate liquid flow.

[0037] See also Figure 7 The locking device consists of two parts corresponding to the two locking holes 2.1a. Each locking device includes a locking component A2.8 and a locking component B2.9. The head end of locking component A2.8 is connected to the piston body 2.2 and moves with the piston body. The tail end of locking component A2.8 is an outwardly inclined arc shape with a spherical structure, ensuring that the spherical part at the tail end of locking component A2.8 is tightly attached to the inner wall of the self-sealing housing 2.1. When the piston body 2.2 moves to its lowest point under negative pressure, the spherical structure springs into the locking hole 2.1a, fixing the piston body 2.2 in its self-sealing position. The end of the snap-fit ​​component B2.9 is provided with a fixing rotating bolt 2.9a. The snap-fit ​​component B2.9 is rotatably mounted on the outer wall of the self-sealing housing via the fixing rotating bolt 2.9a. A limiting spring 2.11, connected to the outer wall of the self-sealing housing 2.1, is also provided on the inner middle of the snap-fit ​​component B2.9. In this structural configuration, a spherical structure is also provided on the inner side of the first end of the snap-fit ​​component B, which is used to press the spherical structure at the end of the snap-fit ​​component A away from the snap-fit ​​hole, so that the piston body returns to its initial position under the tension of the spring.

[0038] See also Figure 2 and Figure 8In this embodiment of the invention, the female self-sealing device 3 and the male self-sealing device 2 have the same overall structure, but the components in the female self-sealing device 3 and the components in the male self-sealing device 2 are arranged symmetrically about the mating surface. The differences between the female self-sealing device 3 and the male self-sealing device 2 are: (1) When the piston body in the female self-sealing device 3 reaches the sealing pad position, the tension generated by the spring is greater than that in the male self-sealing device 2 when the piston body reaches the sealing pad position; (2) The sealing pad corresponding to the male self-sealing device 2 is a solid pad, while the sealing pad B3.7 corresponding to the female self-sealing device 3 has a through hole 3.7a in the middle. In this structure, when the first valve 6 of the tank truck 1 is closed, the transfer pump 4 continues to operate, resulting in a negative pressure in the inlet pipe of the transfer pump. Under the action of the negative pressure, because the tension generated by the spring corresponding to the male self-sealing device 2 is relatively small, the piston body corresponding to the male self-sealing device 2 moves first to the sealing pad, forming a seal. Then, when the pressure in the pipe further decreases, the piston body corresponding to the female self-sealing device 3 moves to form a seal. In this way, the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 form a self-sealing mechanism one after the other, avoiding the situation where the piston body corresponding to the female self-sealing device 3 moves first to form a seal, cutting off the connection between the male self-sealing device 2 and the transfer pump. This would prevent the piston body corresponding to the male self-sealing device 2 from stopping due to lack of further negative pressure, and a certain amount of residual liquid would still remain between the piston bodies of the two self-sealing devices, failing to achieve the self-sealing effect of the male self-sealing device. Furthermore, when the piston body of the female self-sealing device 3 moves to the sealing pad, the trace amount of liquid remaining between the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 can continue to be drawn away by the delivery pump 4 through the through hole 3.7a provided on the sealing pad B3.7. When the negative pressure in the pipeline further decreases, the sealing pad B3.7 is squeezed and deformed under the action of pressure, and the through hole is blocked, forming a complete seal.

[0039] See also Figure 9 A sealing sleeve 2.10 is provided on the piston body 2.2 and at the outlet of each liquid channel 2.2a. The sealing sleeve 2.10 is a bowl-shaped structure with open ends. One end is connected to the piston body and the other end is used to cooperate with the sealing gasket. When the piston body 2.2 moves to the bottom position under the action of negative pressure, the sealing sleeve 2.10 and the sealing gasket A2.7 overlap, which can form a better effect than the sealing gasket A directly sealing the outlet of the liquid channel 2.2a.

[0040] In one specific embodiment, the male self-sealing device 2 has flanges 2.12 at both ends of its self-sealing housing 2.1, with several flange holes 2.12a on the flanges. The male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 are connected to the tank truck outlet pipe and the transfer pump inlet pipe, respectively, via reducer connectors 5; the diameters of the male and female self-sealing devices 2 and 3 are larger than the diameters of the pipes they are connected to. This structural design ensures that the effective liquid flow cross-sectional area within the self-sealing device is not less than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the unloading metal hose, while also providing additional space for atmospheric pressure to generate pressure, which is the power source for the self-sealing device to automatically activate. The ratio of the self-sealing device diameter to the unloading metal hose diameter can be adjusted according to the actual application, generally between 1 and 5 times.

[0041] A male self-sealing device 2 is connected to the outlet pipe of tank truck 1. The male self-sealing device 2 is always connected to the metal flexible hose on the tank truck and travels with it as a pipe accessory. A female self-sealing device 3 is connected to the inlet pipe of transfer pump 4. This self-sealing method specifically includes:

[0042] After the tanker truck 1 comes to a complete stop, manually connect the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3, and press the latching component B in each of the two self-sealing devices to return the pistons in both devices to the open state. After opening the first valve 6 on the outlet pipe of the tanker truck 1, start the transfer pump 4. The transfer pump 4 continuously transfers the liquid to the liquid storage tank 9. When the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 9 reaches the designated position, close the first valve 6. At this time, the transfer pump 4 continues to run, and the pressure in the inlet pipe of the transfer pump decreases, and the pressure acting on the piston increases. When the negative pressure value of the pipe drops to a certain value, the piston in the male self-sealing device 2 begins to move. When it moves to the bottom position, the sealing sleeve on the piston completely overlaps with the sealing gasket, achieving self-sealing. At this time, the ball at the end of the latching component A pops into the latching hole, ensuring the self-sealing effect of the male self-sealing device.

[0043] When the male self-sealing device 2 forms a self-sealing mechanism, the negative pressure value of the pipeline further decreases, causing the piston body inside the female self-sealing device 3 to move. When the sealing sleeve on the piston body just touches the surface of the sealing gasket B3.7, the through hole 3.7a on the sealing gasket B3.7 is in an open state. The trace amount of liquid remaining between the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 can still flow out through the through hole 3.7a into the inlet pipe of the delivery pump. As all the residual trace amount of liquid enters the inlet pipe of the delivery pump, the pressure acting on the piston body inside the female self-sealing device 3 increases. The sealing gasket B3.7 is deformed due to the compression of the sealing sleeve 2.10, and the through hole 3.7a is blocked. The female self-sealing device 3 achieves self-sealing. At this time, the spherical body at the end of the snap-fit ​​component A in the female self-sealing device 3 also springs into the snap-fit ​​hole, ensuring the self-sealing effect of the female self-sealing device 3.

[0044] Since both the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 are in a self-sealing state, the piston body stops moving. The effect of its movement in counteracting the vacuum drop in the pipeline before the delivery pump disappears. The vacuum pressure in the pipeline between the female self-sealing device 3 and the delivery pump 4 further decreases as the delivery pump 4 continues to operate. When the pressure gauge 7 in this section of the pipeline reaches the specified negative pressure, the delivery pump 4 is stopped via an electrical signal interlock, completing the liquid delivery process and the activation of the self-sealing devices, thus realizing the entire process of tank truck unloading and self-sealing. This process is fully automated, requiring no manual intervention and is easy to operate.

[0045] After completing the entire process of tank truck unloading and self-sealing, the on-site operators observed that the transfer pump 4 had stopped operating. They then manually disconnected the flange 2.12 connection between the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3, thus separating them. After separation, the male self-sealing device 2 and its connected metal hose were returned to the tank truck 1. The residual liquid in the section of the metal hose between the first valve 6 and the male self-sealing device 2 was contained within the pipe due to the self-sealing of the male self-sealing device 2. The female self-sealing device 3 and its connected metal hose were left at the operating site. The residual liquid in the section of the metal hose between the female self-sealing device 3 and the transfer pump 4 was also contained within the pipe due to the self-sealing of the female self-sealing device 3.

[0046] When the material in the liquid storage tank 9 is used up and the next tank truck unloading is required, connect the flange between the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3. At this time, press down the buckle component B on the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3. The piston body in the two self-sealing devices moves to the initial position under the pull of the return spring. At this time, the sealing sleeve on the piston body disengages from the sealing gasket, the self-sealing of the male self-sealing device 2 and the female self-sealing device 3 is released, and the liquid passage in the self-sealing device is restored to unobstructed flow. This is a complete operation procedure.

[0047] The effective operation of the self-sealing device in this invention achieves self-sealing of the metal hose end, solving the problems of safety hazards, environmental pollution, and material loss faced in the traditional tank truck unloading process. This self-sealing device has broad application prospects due to its wide range of applications, convenient operation, and high degree of automation.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-sealing method for unloading tank trucks, characterized in that, The system includes a self-sealing system for unloading tank trucks, comprising a self-sealing connector, a tank truck (1), a first valve (6), a pressure gauge (7), a transfer pump (4), and a liquid storage tank (9). The self-sealing connector comprises a male self-sealing device (2) and a female self-sealing device (3). The male self-sealing device (2) is connected to the tank truck (1) via a tank truck outlet pipe (a). The first valve (6) is located on the tank truck outlet pipe (a). The female self-sealing device (3) is connected to the inlet of the transfer pump (4) via a transfer pump inlet pipe (b). The outlet of the transfer pump (4) is connected to the liquid storage tank (9) via a transfer pump outlet pipe (c). The pressure gauge (7) is located on the transfer pump outlet pipe (a). The pump inlet pipe (b) is interlocked with the delivery pump (4); the male self-sealing device (2) includes a self-sealing housing (2.1), a piston body (2.2), and a snap-fit ​​fixing device. The side wall of the self-sealing housing (2.1) has a snap-fit ​​hole (2.1a) and a vent hole (2.1b); the piston body (2.2) is disposed inside the self-sealing housing (2.1), and at least one through liquid channel (2.2a) is provided on the piston body (2.2), and a delivery pipe (2.3) is connected to each of the liquid channels (2.2a); the two ends of the self-sealing housing (2.1) are respectively provided with an input passage sealing plate (2.4) and an output passage sealing plate (2.5), and the input passage sealing plate (2.4) A reset device (2.6) is provided between the piston body (2.2) and the piston body (2.2). One end of the reset device (2.6) is fixedly connected to the piston body (2.2), and the other end of the reset device (2.6) is fixedly connected to the input passage sealing plate (2.4). The input passage sealing plate (2.4) has at least one liquid inlet hole (2.4a), and each liquid inlet hole (2.4a) is connected to a corresponding delivery pipe (2.3). The output passage sealing plate (2.5) has at least one liquid outlet hole (2.5a), and the inner side of the output passage sealing plate (2.5) is provided with sealing pads A (2.7) of the same number and position corresponding to the at least one liquid channel (2.2a). The buckle The fixing device is correspondingly provided with the snap-fit ​​hole (2.1a). The snap-fit ​​fixing device includes snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) and snap-fit ​​component B (2.9). The head end of snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) is connected to the piston body (2.2), and the tail end of snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) is in close contact with the inner sidewall of the self-sealing housing (2.1). Snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) can move under the action of the piston body (2.2) and ultimately cause the tail end of snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) to spring into the snap-fit ​​hole (2.1a). Snap-fit ​​component B (2.9) is rotatably mounted on the outer sidewall of the self-sealing housing (2.1) to press snap-fit ​​component A (2.8) away from the snap-fit ​​hole (2.1a).1a); The inlet end of the female self-sealing device (3) is used to connect with the outlet end of the male self-sealing device (2). The female self-sealing device (3) and the male self-sealing device (2) are arranged symmetrically about the docking surface structure, but the sealing gasket B (3.7) inside the female self-sealing device (3) is provided with a through hole (3.7a); A sealing sleeve (2.10) is provided on the piston body (2.2) and at the outlet of each liquid channel (2.2a); When the piston body (2.2) moves to the bottom position under the action of negative pressure, the sealing sleeve (2.10) cooperates with the sealing gasket A (2.7) to achieve sealing; The self-sealing method specifically includes: S1. First, connect the male self-sealing device (2) with the female self-sealing device (3), and then press down the buckle component B (2.9) in the two self-sealing devices respectively, so that the pistons in the two self-sealing devices return to the open state. S2. Open the first valve (6) and start the transfer pump (4). The transfer pump (4) continuously transfers the liquid in the tank truck (1) to the liquid storage tank (9). When the liquid level in the liquid storage tank (9) reaches the specified position, close the first valve (6). At this time, the transfer pump (4) continues to operate. The pressure in the inlet pipe (b) of the transfer pump drops to form a negative pressure. When the negative pressure value drops to the first specified value, the piston in the male self-sealing device (2) starts to move. When the piston moves to the bottom position, the sealing sleeve on the piston completely overlaps with the sealing gasket A (2.7), thereby realizing the self-sealing of the male self-sealing device (2). S3. When the male self-sealing device (2) forms a self-sealing, the negative pressure value of the pipeline further decreases, causing the piston body in the female self-sealing device (3) to move. When the sealing sleeve on the piston body just touches the surface of the sealing pad B (3.7), the through hole (3.7a) on the sealing pad B (3.7) is in an open state. The trace amount of liquid remaining between the male self-sealing device (2) and the female self-sealing device (3) can still flow out through the through hole (3.7a) into the inlet pipe (b) of the delivery pump. However, as all the residual trace amount of liquid enters the inlet pipe (b) of the delivery pump, the sealing pad in the female self-sealing device (3) is deformed due to the pressure of the sealing sleeve. Finally, the through hole (3.7a) is completely blocked, realizing the self-sealing of the female self-sealing device (3). S4. After the self-sealing device (3) of the female head forms a self-sealing device, the negative pressure value of the pipeline between the self-sealing device (3) of the female head and the conveying pump (4) is further reduced as the conveying pump (4) continues to operate. When the negative pressure value of the pipeline drops to the second specified value, the pressure gauge (7) sends an electrical signal to stop the conveying pump (4), thereby completing the entire process of unloading the tanker and realizing self-sealing.

2. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple reset devices (2.6) are provided between the piston body (2.2) and the input passage sealing disc; the reset device (2.6) is a reset spring.

3. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the latching component A (2.8) is an outwardly inclined arc shape, and the end of the latching component A (2.8) has a spherical structure; when the piston body (2.2) moves to the bottom end under the action of negative pressure, the spherical structure springs into the latching hole (2.1a) and fixes the piston body (2.2) in its self-sealing position.

4. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the buckle component B (2.9) is rotatably connected to the connecting seat on the outer side wall of the self-sealing housing (2.1) via a fixed rotating bolt (2.9a), and a limiting spring (2.11) connected to the outer side wall of the self-sealing housing (2.1) is also provided in the middle of the inner side of the buckle component B (2.9).

5. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The male self-sealing device (2) and the female self-sealing device (3) are respectively connected to the tank truck outlet pipe (a) and the delivery pump inlet pipe (b) through the large and small head connectors (5).

6. The self-sealing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The diameters of the male self-sealing device (2) and the female self-sealing device (3) are larger than the diameter of the pipe to which they are connected.

7. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tension generated by the reset device in the female self-sealing device (3) when it is in the self-sealing position is greater than the tension generated by the reset device (2.6) in the male self-sealing device (2) when it is in the self-sealing position.

8. The self-sealing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After completing the entire process of tank truck unloading and self-sealing, step S5 is also included: After the on-site operator observes that the delivery pump (4) has stopped running, the flange (2.12) connection between the male self-sealing device (2) and the female self-sealing device (3) is disconnected, so that the male self-sealing device (2) and the female self-sealing device (3) are separated.

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