Emergency Release Coupling Control for Safe Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring liquids or vapors between objects separated by a distance lack effective safety measures to prevent adverse effects such as spillage and environmental impact due to unsafe operations, particularly in scenarios where objects are movable and fault conditions are not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A safety instrumented system comprising sensors, a logic solver, and a final element in the form of an emergency release coupling, which detects faults and initiates safe states to prevent unsafe operation, including de-energization of components and separation of coupling portions, achieving a desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL) rating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing emergency release coupling systems are used for transferring liquid or vapour between movable objects, then the coupling sections can be selectively connected and separated, but the systems lack effective safety measures to prevent adverse effects such as spillage and environmental impact due to unsafe operations
Solution Approach 1:
The safety instrumented system performs preliminary detection of fault conditions before unsafe operations can occur. Sensors continuously monitor the transfer operation and detect faults such as unauthorized separation attempts or unsafe coupling states, triggering safety responses before spillage or environmental damage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor the coupling sections and transfer operation. The logic solver processes sensor signals to determine system state, and the final element provides feedback control by preventing unauthorized separation or triggering emergency disconnection when fault conditions are detected, ensuring continuous safe operation.
2Speed
If the emergency release coupling is designed to allow quick separation of coupling portions, then rapid response to emergencies is enabled, but the risk of unauthorized or accidental separation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting fault conditions that could lead to unauthorized separation before they occur. The safety instrumented system monitors for conditions such as excessive distance between objects or abnormal coupling states and triggers preventive actions to stop the transfer operation before accidental separation can cause spillage or environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic solver acts as an intermediary between the sensor detection system and the final element (emergency release coupling). It processes sensor signals to determine system state and controls the final element accordingly, enabling quick separation when truly needed while preventing unauthorized separation through intelligent control logic that distinguishes between emergency and normal conditions.
3Reliability
If the safety instrumented system continuously monitors for fault conditions, then operational safety is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety instrumented system is designed to be self-monitoring and self-regulating. Sensors automatically detect fault conditions without requiring external intervention, the logic solver continuously processes sensor signals to determine system state, and the final element automatically triggers safety responses when faults are detected, reducing the need for external energy input while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring through sensors that continuously detect fault conditions and a logic solver that periodically evaluates system state. This periodic action ensures continuous safety monitoring while allowing the system to enter lower-power states between monitoring cycles, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-power operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an assembly for transferring matter between first and second objects separated by a distance, either or both of the first and second objects being movable to increase or decrease the distance therebetween. The assembly comprises: a conduit providing a medium for transferring matter between the first and second objects, the conduit comprising first and second conduit sections, the first conduit section being operatively connectable to the first object, the second conduit section being operatively connectable to the second object; an emergency release coupling including first and second coupling portions (10,12), the first coupling portion (10) operatively coupled to the first conduit section, the second coupling portion (12) operatively coupled to the second conduit section, the first and second coupling portions (10,12) configured to be selectively connectable and separable to permit selective coupling and separation of the first and second conduit sections; and a safety instrumented function including a sensor, a logic solver and a final element, the final element being in the form of the emergency release coupling, wherein the logic solver is programmed to activate the final element in response to detection of a fault that inhibits the operation of the conduit to safely transfer matter between the first and second objects so as to: initiate a first safe state to de-energise the emergency release coupling and keep the first and second coupling portions (10,12) connected to each other; or initiate a second safe state to cause separation of the first and second coupling portions (10,12).