Blast Activated Quick Disconnect Fuel Line Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-disconnect devices for fuel lines are not automatically activated by physical shocks or concussions, are often complex and expensive, and difficult to install, which can lead to significant damage during events like explosions.
Innovation Solution
A blast-activated quick-disconnect apparatus featuring a two-piece body with a longitudinally movable collar and a mass biased by a compression spring, which remains inactive during normal use but automatically disconnects the fuel line upon excessive acceleration, using a spring stop to adjust the activation threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a quick disconnect device is made simple and inexpensive, then ease of manufacture and installation is improved, but automatic blast activation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a simple manual quick disconnect device with a blast activation mechanism consisting of a mass, compression spring, and spring stop. This merging allows the device to maintain simplicity and ease of manufacture while gaining automatic blast activation capability. The activation mechanism is integrated into the existing quick disconnect structure, avoiding the need for a completely complex automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass-spring system acts as an intermediary between the blast force and the quick disconnect mechanism. The mass requires a threshold force (blast) to overcome the spring bias and activate the disconnect, while normal vibrations and accelerations are absorbed by the spring without triggering activation. This intermediary enables automatic activation while maintaining system simplicity.
2Extent of automation
If a frangible sleeve and pins are used for blast activation, then automatic disconnect capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential activation function from complex frangible sleeve and pin mechanisms, retaining only the core mass-spring-stop elements needed for blast activation. This simplification removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the automatic disconnect capability, resulting in a more straightforward structure that is easier to manufacture and maintain.
3Reliability
If a spring bias is applied to prevent normal movement, then reliability during normal use is improved, but activation threshold sensitivity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The spring stop serves as an adjustable parameter that allows calibration of the activation threshold. By modifying the position or characteristics of the spring stop, the force required to activate the disconnect can be precisely tuned. This parameter adjustment capability ensures both reliable normal operation (through adequate spring bias) and appropriate blast activation (through calibrated threshold sensitivity).
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
The apparatus provides a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution for automatically disconnecting fuel lines during extreme accelerations, preventing damage from physical shocks or concussions, while allowing quick reconnection without additional tools.
Implementation Method 1
a spring having one end abutting the mass, and a spring stop formed as one of a portion of the mounting apparatus or a separate component, the spring stop engaged with an opposite end of the spring and holding the spring in a biasing position against the mass
Implementation Method 2
The spring is designed to provide a bias on the mass that prevents movement of the mass and collar into the activated position during accelerations in a normal use range
Data Source
AI summary
Blast activated quick-disconnect apparatus in cooperation with a quick disconnect device including a two-piece body with a longitudinally movable collar surrounding a portion of each of the two pieces, the collar holding the two pieces together in a first position and separating the two pieces in a second or activated position. The apparatus including mounting apparatus fixedly attaching the quick disconnect device to a vehicle to be protected from physical shock or concussion, a mass affixed to the movable collar of the two-piece body, a spring having one end abutting the mass, and a spring stop formed as one of a portion of the mounting apparatus or a separate component. The spring being designed to provide a bias on the mass that prevents movement of the mass and collar into the activated position during accelerations in a normal use range.