Emergency Release Coupling Pneumatics for Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakaway and emergency release couplings for hazardous fluid transfer lack reliable pneumatic separation mechanisms, particularly in emergency situations, and are prone to leakage due to environmental factors like moisture and dust, which can compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically powered emergency release coupling (PERC) system utilizing a pressurizable chamber supplied with pilot pressure nitrogen gas, which also serves as a monitoring line for detecting leaks and maintaining a sealed environment, ensuring reliable separation and minimizing contamination by using annular seals and a separate monitoring line connected to the actuation line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic separation mechanism is used in emergency release couplings, then the separation speed and reliability are improved, but the system becomes more complex and prone to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed gas stored in the pressurizable chamber to automatically separate the coupling members during emergency situations. The gas pressure acts on the mating faces to force separation, providing reliable and rapid breakaway without requiring external power sources or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-charges the pressurizable chamber with compressed gas before an emergency occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when separation is needed, the gas is already available at the required pressure, eliminating the need for complex activation mechanisms and ensuring immediate response.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the coupling members are sealed to prevent contamination, then the protection against moisture and dust is improved, but the risk of internal leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different sealing qualities to different parts of the coupling system. The mating faces are designed with precise sealing surfaces to prevent external contamination, while the pressurizable chamber incorporates controlled gas distribution pathways that prevent internal leakage. This localized differentiation of sealing properties resolves the contradiction between protection and leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurizable chamber acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal coupling mechanisms. It provides a controlled gas environment that protects internal components from contamination while the gas distribution system prevents unwanted leakage, serving as a buffer zone that mediates between these two requirements.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a monitoring line is added to detect leaks, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizable chamber serves multiple functions: it stores compressed gas for separation, protects internal components from contamination, and acts as a monitoring point for detecting system leaks. By making the chamber multi-functional, the patent improves detection capability without adding separate monitoring equipment, thus avoiding increased complexity.
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 ensures safe and efficient pneumatic separation of hazardous fluids by preventing leaks and contamination, maintaining system integrity, and allowing for early detection of potential issues before fueling, thus enhancing operational safety and reducing environmental risks.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation line connected at its one end to the pressurizable chamber and at its other end to a source of high pressure gaseous media, preferably high pressure nitrogen gas
Implementation Method 2
gaseous media at a pilot pressure level is provided to the pressurizable chamber and to the actuation line in a position downstream the first actuation device or via said pressurizable chamber for detection of any leakage of gas in the control and monitoring system
Implementation Method 3
coupling members provided with mating faces for sealing engagement of the coupling members
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pneumatically, high pressure gas powered emergency release coupling control and monitoring system (S) comprising a powered emergency released coupling (1) arranged in a fluid-supply line (32) for conveying hazardous fluids, said powered emergency released coupling (1) comprising a couple of coupling members (10, 11) provided with mating faces (10A, 11A) for sealing engagement of the coupling members (10, 11) and formation of a pressurizable chamber (12) between said coupling members (10, 11), said system (S) comprising an actuation line (7) connected at its one end to the pressurizable chamber (12) and at its other end to a source (C) of high pressure gaseous media (GH), preferably high pressure nitrogen gas, an first actuating device (4A, 4B) arranged in the actuation line (7), wherein said system (S) provides a gaseous media at a pilot pressure level to said pressurizable chamber (12) and to said actuation line (7) in a position downstream the first actuation device (4A, 4B) or via said pressurizable chamber (12) for detection of any leakage of gas in the control and monitoring system (S), said pilot pressure gaseous media preferably being low pressure nitrogen gas. The invention further relates to a pneumatically, high pressure gas powered emergency release coupling (1) and a control and monitoring method for such a system (S).