Air Pipe Head Float Shielding for High Flow and Water Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air pipe heads for venting tanks face challenges in maintaining high flow rates while preventing splash water ingress, which can compromise the flow rate and lead to potential damage during heavy weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
The air pipe head design shields the downward-facing surface of the float member in its lowermost position laterally, allowing the upper surface to remain exposed, reducing air flow lift and enabling higher flow rates without restricting the cross-sectional area for air and liquid passage, while also using shields to deflect water and prevent ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper contour of the side ports is arranged lower to shield the float member from air flow, then water ingress prevention is improved, but the flow rate of air into the tank is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The float member is divided into two functional zones: the upper portion remains exposed to maintain air flow passage and capacity, while the downward-facing surface portion is shielded to prevent water ingress. This segmentation allows the float to simultaneously maintain high air flow rates while being protected from harmful water entry during heavy weather conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shields are added to deflect water and protect the float member, then water ingress prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shields are positioned to utilize the natural flow direction of waves and splash water, allowing the water flow pattern itself to help deflect incoming water away from the float member. This self-service approach reduces water ingress without requiring complex active control systems or additional mechanical components.
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
This design enhances air flow rates into the tank without lifting the float, maintaining uncompromised capacity and reducing water ingress risks, ensuring effective pressure equalization and preventing damage during heavy weather.
Implementation Method 1
If splash water or a wave runs over the deck and into the chamber towards the end port, the float member is caused to float up against the end port and temporarily closes off the end port to prevent water from entering
Implementation Method 2
the downwardly facing surface portion of the float member is substantially shielded from air that flows in through the side port or side ports towards the venting channel, so lift exerted by the air flow onto the float member is at least reduced
Data Source
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AI summary
An air pipe head has a housing (1) bounding a venting channel (2,4) and a chamber (3). The venting channel (2,4) has an end port (5) opening downwards into the chamber (3). A float member (6,6') is arranged in the chamber (3) and guided for guided movement between an uppermost position (6') closing off the end port (5) and a lowermost position (6) spaced below the end port (5). The chamber (3) communicates with surroundings of the air pipe head via at least one side port (7,57). A downwardly facing surface portion (8) of the float member (6) in its lowermost position is shielded in substantially all lateral directions and an upper surface portion (9) of the float member (6) in its lowermost position is left exposed through said side port (7,57).