Bottom Loading Valve Electric Actuation for Cold Weather Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank refueling and defueling systems for commercial trucks require complex installations and struggle with reliability in cold weather due to the need for primary and secondary air sources, which can fail to operate valves effectively in extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operated tank management system with a bottom loading valve and vent valve, featuring a motor-driven piston mechanism that can be actuated between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for secondary air sources and incorporating a controller for automated operation, including a position detector and sensors for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If primary and secondary air sources with associated tubing and brackets are used to operate bottom loading valve and tank vent valve, then the valves can be actuated to prevent collapse or rupture of the tank and provide monitoring of fueling rates and pressures, but the system becomes complicated to install and maintain and fails in cold weather conditions below 10° F.
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the secondary air source and its associated tubing and brackets from the system. The bottom loading valve is redesigned to be electrically actuated instead of pneumatically actuated, extracting the problematic air source component while retaining the valve's essential function of controlling fuel flow and preventing tank collapse or rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic actuation system (air sources, tubing, brackets) with an electrical actuation system. The bottom loading valve incorporates an electrical motor or actuator that directly drives the valve mechanism, substituting the mechanical pneumatic system with an electrical one that is simpler and more reliable in cold weather.
2Ease of operation
If primary and secondary air sources are used to actuate valves during fueling operations, then the valves can be operated to control fuel flow, but the installation and maintenance becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the secondary air source, its tubing, and mounting brackets from the system. This eliminates the complex pneumatic infrastructure while the bottom loading valve is redesigned to function with electrical actuation only, significantly simplifying both installation and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex pneumatic actuation system with a simpler electrical actuation system. The bottom loading valve incorporates an electrical motor that directly actuates the valve, replacing the need for air sources, tubing, and associated mechanical components, thereby easing both installation and maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If pumps that actuate the valves are used in the system, then the valves can be operated during fueling, but the pumps have difficulty starting in extreme cold weather conditions below 10° F.
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pump-based pneumatic actuation system with an electrical actuation system. The bottom loading valve uses an electrical motor or actuator that is not susceptible to cold weather starting problems, thereby maintaining valve actuation capability while improving reliability in extreme cold conditions below 10° F.
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
Simplifies installation, enhances reliability in cold weather conditions, and allows for efficient fueling and defueling operations without the need for secondary air sources, improving the overall performance and safety of fuel tank management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a piston configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position by rotating a lead screw drive attached to both the piston and the motor
Implementation Method 2
When the piston is in the closed position, the piston can fully obstruct the one or more lateral openings from the fluid passageway
Data Source
AI summary
According to the embodiments described herein, a bottom loading valve can include a drive member, a valve body, and a piston. The drive member can be operably coupled to a motor. The valve body can define a fluid passageway and one or more lateral openings. The drive member can be positioned within the fluid passageway. The one or more lateral openings can be offset laterally from the drive member. The piston can be engaged with the drive member. The piston can move throughout an open position and a closed position, as the drive member communicates force from the motor. When the piston is in the closed position, the piston can fully obstruct the one or more lateral openings from the fluid passageway.