Deflectable Leg Gauge Attachment for Pressurized Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized tanks are opaque, making it difficult to determine the fluid level inside, and existing gauges do not effectively connect to the valve of these tanks without risking damage from threaded connections or requiring complex installations.

Innovation Solution

A gauge with a casing, measuring device, display, and attachment member that includes deflectable legs allowing secure attachment to the pressurized tank's neck without a threaded connection, enabling easy insertion and detachment while preventing the neck from passing through the space between the legs, and allowing for toggling between different tank sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded connection is used to attach the gauge to the pressurized tank valve, then the gauge can be securely attached, but the valve may be damaged during attachment or detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidvalve damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism consisting of legs with feet that engage with the valve neck without threading. The legs are deflectable and the feet have ledges that interface with the valve neck geometry, providing secure attachment through friction and geometric interlocking rather than threaded engagement, thus preventing damage to the valve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional threaded mechanical connection system with a deflectable leg and foot engagement system. The legs can flex to accommodate the valve neck and create secure attachment through deflection and geometric engagement rather than threads, eliminating the harmful cutting or stripping actions associated with threaded connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a complex installation procedure is used to attach the gauge, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-adjusting. The deflectable legs automatically conform to the valve neck geometry when the gauge is approached, and the feet with ledges self-position against the valve neck surface. This eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures, specialized tools, or multiple installation steps, allowing secure attachment through simple approach and engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The legs are designed to be deflectable rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the valve neck geometry during attachment. This dynamic flexibility enables the attachment mechanism to accommodate variations in valve neck dimensions and orientations without requiring precise pre-alignment or complex adjustment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the legs are positioned close together, then the attachment structure is compact, but the valve neck cannot be inserted between them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment compactnessVSAvoidneck insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The legs are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the attachment body, with the space between them optimized for valve neck insertion. The asymmetric arrangement allows the legs to be close enough for compactness while maintaining sufficient clearance in the critical insertion region, and the asymmetric positioning of feet and ledges provides proper engagement geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution provides a secure, easy-to-use gauge that accurately measures fluid levels in pressurized tanks, ensuring accurate readings and preventing damage during attachment and detachment, while accommodating various tank sizes without the need for complex installations.

Implementation Method 1

first and second deflectable legs extending downward from the body on opposed sides thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11976957B2Cylinder attachment

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 WORTHINGTON CYLINDER CORP

AI summary

Provided is a gauge configured to be connected to a pressurized tank. The gauge includes a casing defining an internal cavity, a measuring device disposed in the internal cavity, a power source disposed in the internal cavity, a display at a front surface of the casing powered by the power source, and an attachment member coupled to the measuring device and casing, the attachment member including a body and first and second legs projecting downward from the body, each of the first and second legs having a radially inwardly extending foot for supporting a neck of the pressurized tank, wherein fronts of the legs are circumferentially spaced from one another a greater distance than backs of the legs.