Emergency Release Coupling With Linear Valve Closure for Large Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency release mechanisms for fluid loading equipment struggle to maintain sufficient urging force for closing the flow path when the pipe diameter is increased, posing a risk of fluid leakage during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
An emergency release mechanism featuring a pair of pipe portions with vacuum double structures, coupled by a coupling member and equipped with shutoff valves and linear motion drive devices to ensure valve bodies can seat on valve seats, allowing for effective closure of flow paths even with increased pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pipe diameter is increased to transport fluid at a larger flow rate, then the fluid transport capacity is improved, but the spring member cannot provide sufficient urging force to close the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spring member-based mechanical urging system with a linear motion drive device that uses motor-driven mechanical advantage (through lead screw or rack and pinion mechanisms) to generate sufficient closing force on valve bodies for larger diameter pipes, overcoming the limitation of spring force in scaled-up systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving mechanism from passive elastic force (spring) to active controlled mechanical force (linear motion drive device), enabling adjustable and scalable closing force that can accommodate larger pipe diameters and higher flow rates while maintaining reliable seal contact pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency release mechanism is applied to fluid loading equipment for transporting fluid, and includes: a pair of pipe portions having a vacuum double structure in each of which a flow path for transporting the fluid is formed, the pair of pipe portions being arranged with opening ends abutting against each other; a coupling member capable of coupling the pair of pipe portions to each other and being removed therefrom; and a pair of shutoff valves configured to shut off the flow path in the pipe portions. The pair of pipe portions respectively include valve seats formed in the flow path. The shutoff valves respectively include valve bodies configured to seat on the respective valve seats to close the flow path, and linear motion drive devices configured to move the respective valve bodies along the flow path to cause the valve bodies to seat on the respective valve seats.