Double-Walled Fuel Line Purging for Leak and Vapor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems for engines face challenges in efficiently managing fuel leaks and volatile fuel conditions, particularly in double-walled fuel lines, where leaked fuel can accumulate and pose risks due to volatility and the need for effective purging and de-aeration.
Innovation Solution
A fuel evacuation system with an outer and inner fluid pathway, controlled by a sealing member that transitions between positions to enable fluid communication or isolation, allowing for modes of operation that purge or vent fuel and gas, using inert or non-inert gases to manage fuel flow and leakage, with a sealing member that includes a collar and plug for selective fluid coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double-walled fuel lines are used to isolate fuel, then fuel leakage containment is improved, but fuel accumulation in the space between walls creates volatility risks and requires complex purging systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful accumulated fuel from the double-wall space by introducing a purging fluid pathway that actively removes fuel through suction or pressure differential, preventing volatility risks while maintaining the containment benefit of double-walled construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a purging fluid (gas or liquid) as an intermediary substance that flows through the space between the inner and outer walls to carry away accumulated fuel, converting the harmful accumulation into a manageable fluid flow that can be safely evacuated
2Reliability
If double-walled fuel lines are used to isolate fuel, then fuel leakage containment is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional purging and de-aeration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The purging fluid pathway is designed to serve multiple functions: it purges accumulated fuel, de-aerates the fuel lines, and can facilitate controlled fuel transfer between the inner and outer walls, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the flow of purging fluid itself to perform the purging action, where the fluid's movement through the double-wall space automatically carries away accumulated fuel without requiring additional mechanical purging devices
3Object-affected harmful factors
If purging modes are implemented to remove leaked fuel, then safety is improved, but the operational complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically switchable purging modes (first purging mode and second purging mode) that can be activated based on operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt its purging strategy rather than requiring constant complex control
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 system effectively purges and de-aerates fuel lines, reducing volatility and ensuring safe operation by controlling fuel and gas flows, enhancing safety and efficiency in fuel management.
Implementation Method 1
causing gas from the first source to flow from the outer fluid pathway to the inner fluid pathway to purge liquid fuel within the inner fluid pathway
Implementation Method 2
causing liquid fuel from the second source to flow from the inner fluid pathway to the outer fluid pathway to purge gas within the outer fluid pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel evacuation system includes an outer fluid pathway and an inner fluid pathway arranged therein. The system also includes a controller to control flows of gas and liquid fuel from respective first and second sources, and a sealing member coupled to the inner and outer fluid pathways, where the sealing member is operable between a first and at least one second position. In the first position, the sealing member enables the outer fluid pathway to be fluidly independent from the inner fluid pathway. In the at least one second position, the sealing member couples the outer fluid pathway to the inner fluid pathway. In a first mode, the controller causes liquid fuel from the inner fluid pathway to flow to the outer fluid pathway. In a second mode, the controller is configured to cause gas from the outer fluid pathway to flow to the inner fluid pathway.