Dual-Valve Fluid Delivery for Tank Overfill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems for fuel consuming assets are inefficient, prone to human error, and lack safety mechanisms, leading to spills, leaks, and potential fires, especially in remote or harsh environments, and do not effectively manage fuel consumption rates.
Innovation Solution
A dual valve system with a mechanical valve and an electric valve, where the electric valve acts as a backup to prevent overfilling, combined with a wireless relay node for remote monitoring and control, ensuring safe and efficient fluid delivery by shutting off fluid flow when predetermined thresholds are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual fuel delivery is used, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the refueling process occurs automatically without manual intervention. The asset autonomously refuels itself by positioning at the hydrant, and the system automatically controls fluid flow based on tank level sensors, eliminating the need for operators to manually monitor and control each refueling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors to detect fluid levels and electrically actuated valves to control flow. This substitution of mechanical/manual systems with electrical/automated systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically reducing time consumption.
2Device complexity
If manual fuel delivery is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but safety risks and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback through fluid level sensors that monitor the asset's tank level and automatically signal the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that refueling stops automatically when the tank reaches appropriate levels, preventing overfilling and spills while maintaining system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dual-valve system with a primary valve for normal operation and a secondary backup valve that automatically activates if the primary valve fails. This redundancy provides a safety cushion against potential failures, ensuring that even if one valve malfunctions, the system can still prevent spills and maintain safety.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of fuel levels is implemented, then fuel availability is ensured, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asset performs self-monitoring of its own fuel levels through onboard sensors that continuously detect fluid levels and automatically communicate with the refueling system. This self-service approach ensures fuel availability without requiring external operators to manually monitor each asset, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing operational complexity.
4Stress or pressure
If bypass line is used for excess fuel recirculation, then pressure build-up is prevented, but fuel heating and pump damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system prevents the need for bypass recirculation by using preliminary action - the fluid level sensors detect approaching full levels before pressure build-up occurs, and the control system proactively closes the valves to stop flow. This preliminary detection and response eliminates the need for pressure relief bypass lines that would cause fuel heating and pump damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering a fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a fluid tank is disclosed. An inlet of a manifold is fluidically coupled to a storage tank that contains the fluid to be delivered. A first distal end of a fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to an outlet of the manifold. A second distal end of the fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to the fluid tank. A primary valve is fluidically coupled to the fluid transporting mechanism and restricts fluid flow to the fluid tank when fluid level in the fluid tank reaches a first fluid level threshold. A secondary valve is fluidically coupled to the fluid transporting mechanism and restricts fluid flow to the fluid tank when fluid level in the fluid tank reaches a second fluid level threshold. The first fluid level threshold is lower than the second fluid level threshold.