Actuated Claw Arm Locking System for Pressurized Tank Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking systems for industrial vacuum tanks require manual operation from heights, leading to safety hazards and human error due to awkward positions, and lack consistent latching force.
Innovation Solution
An actuated locking system with a claw arm mechanism operable from a safe distance, utilizing a hydraulic actuator to position the claw arm in locked and unlocked configurations, ensuring consistent latching force and eliminating the need for manual operation at elevated heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manually-operated wing nuts are used to secure the pressurized door, then the door can be locked, but the operator must climb to elevated heights causing safety hazards and human error
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical intermediary system consisting of a Pawl arm, Slot fastener, and Boomerang arms is introduced between the operator and the locking function. The operator simply pulls a cable from ground level, which actuates the Pawl arm to engage or disengage the Slot fastener from the Latching notch, providing safe remote operation while maintaining reliable locking through the intermediary mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The manual wing nut fastening system is replaced with an automated cable-actuated mechanical system. The cable pull operation is converted into automated movement of the Pawl arm through linkages and pivot points, eliminating the need for manual fastener manipulation at heights while maintaining the mechanical locking function through the Pawl-Slot-Notch engagement mechanism
2Reliability
If manually-operated wing nuts are used, then the door can be locked, but consistent latching force cannot be ensured due to awkward positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through the geometry of the Pawl arm, Slot fastener, and Boomerang arms. When the cable is pulled, the mechanism automatically engages the Pawl into the Latching notch with consistent force determined by the mechanical geometry rather than operator skill. The Spring element provides consistent return force, ensuring reliable engagement regardless of operator positioning or strength
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from manual fastener tightening torque to cable pull distance. The mechanical linkages and pivot points are designed with specific geometries that convert a simple cable pull into the precise movement needed to engage the locking mechanism, ensuring consistent latching force through geometric parameters rather than operator judgment or strength
3Device complexity
If the locking system uses a simple manual fastener design, then the device complexity is low, but it requires operator presence at hazardous heights
Solution Approach 1:
The operator's position is moved from the vertical dimension (climbing to height) to the horizontal dimension (pulling a cable from ground level). The cable runs along the tank surface or through guide elements, allowing the operator to actuate the locking mechanism from a safe ground position, effectively changing the spatial dimension of operation to eliminate the falling hazard
4Device complexity
If manual wing nuts are used for securing the door, then the locking mechanism is simple, but human error leads to uneven tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage system with Pawl arm, Boomerang arms, and Slot fastener is self-regulating through its geometric design. The components work together to distribute the locking force uniformly across the door periphery, with the Spring element ensuring consistent return force on each side of the Pawl arm, eliminating the uneven tightening problems associated with manual wing nut operation
Data Source
AI summary
An actuated locking system for locking a pressurized door assembly is provided. The locking system provides an actuator to position a claw arm having a hook latch in a locked and unlocked configuration. The claw arm may include a base element connected to the door assembly so that the hook latch is adjacent to a cooperating latching notch. The actuator may be connected to the base element on one end and on an opposing end pivotally connected to a pair of boomerang arms, which in turn is pivotally connected to a pair of fork arms, which in turn is operably connected to position the claw arm in the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.