Breakaway Hose Coupler Axial Separation Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow line systems transporting dangerous fluids like anhydrous ammonia lack a reliable separable connection, leading to potential ruptures and safety hazards when tanks are disconnected, causing monetary loss and risk of toxic vapor release.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway coupling system featuring female and male couplers with a detent carrier and release sleeve, allowing for axial movement and separation under externally applied loads, while maintaining fluid flow control through a valve mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separable connection is added to allow emergency interruption, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate male and female couplers with distinct functional components. The female coupler contains a valve body, detent carrier, and valve mechanism, while the male coupler has corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows the separable connection to provide safety functionality without requiring complete system redesign, as each component can be independently designed and manufactured.
Solution Approach 2:
A detent carrier with detent balls serves as an intermediary mechanism between the male and female couplers. The detent carrier engages with the valve body to maintain the open position during normal operation, while allowing controlled separation when needed. This intermediary component enables the separable connection functionality without directly complicating the main valve mechanism.
2Reliability
If the coupler allows automatic separation under load, then safety is improved, but control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system uses parameter changes in the form of predetermined load thresholds. The detent carrier and detent balls are designed with specific geometric parameters and material properties that allow automatic separation when external loads exceed a predetermined threshold. This parameter-based design enables automatic safety separation while maintaining controlled precision through carefully engineered geometric relationships and material selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism includes a spring-loaded closure system that预先 prepares the valve to close automatically when separation occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the detent carrier releases under excessive load, the valve promptly closes to prevent fluid leakage, maintaining control precision through pre-configured protective mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a valve mechanism is added to control fluid flow, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is merged with the female coupler body, integrating the flow control function into the existing coupling structure. The valve is positioned within the valve body and operates through the same axial movement mechanism that controls coupling engagement. This merging eliminates the need for separate valve assemblies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial movement mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls both the engagement/disengagement of the coupling and the opening/closing of the valve. The detent carrier and detent balls simultaneously maintain coupling engagement and keep the valve in the open position during normal operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while improving safety through integrated flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling including female and male couplers configured to be connected together. The female coupler includes a valve body and a detent carrier surrounding the valve body and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending through a wall of the detent carrier for receiving detents to connect the female coupler to the male coupler. When the female and male couplers are connected together, the detent carrier is axially movable relative to the valve body by externally applied loads acting on the male and female couplers to cause the male and female couplers to separate. A pressure-balancing chamber is provided to prevent premature separation of the couplers. Once separated, the detent carrier axially moves back and the female and male couplers may be reconnected.