Pneumatic Fender Safety Valve Integration for In-Pressure Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for pneumatic fenders require separate accommodating chambers for the safety valve and opening/closing valve, leading to increased manufacturing costs, weight, and compatibility issues with conventional systems, as well as inefficient maintenance processes that consume time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function safety device integrating a first valve, second valve, safety valve, pneumatic test part, and manual test part within a single valve body, allowing for pressure testing and maintenance without releasing internal pressure, eliminating the need for a separate accommodating chamber and enabling easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate accommodating chamber is used for the safety valve and opening/closing valve, then the valves can be installed and maintained, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety valve, opening/closing valve, and test chamber into a single integrated valve body structure. The first valve body contains the opening/closing valve and first accommodating space, while the second valve body contains the safety valve and second accommodating space, with both valve bodies connected to form a unified assembly that eliminates the need for separate accommodating chambers on the fender.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-function safety device integrates multiple functions into a single apparatus: the first valve controls air intake and discharge, the second valve controls test pressure, the safety valve provides overpressure protection, and the test chamber enables both pneumatic and manual testing of the safety valve's opening pressure, all within one compact unit.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate accommodating chamber is used for the safety valve, then the valve can be installed, but the device complexity and compatibility issues with conventional systems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is segmented into modular components: a first valve body containing the opening/closing valve and first accommodating space, a second valve body containing the safety valve and second accommodating space, and a connecting structure. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured separately and assembled into the final device, reducing overall complexity and improving compatibility with conventional fender systems.
3Ease of operation
If the opening and closing valve is used to close the through hole in the partition wall, then the safety valve can be tested in use, but the valve cannot be operated by the initial internal pressure and limit pressure transmission fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test chamber as an intermediary system that allows independent testing of the safety valve's opening pressure without affecting the normal operation of the opening/closing valve. The test chamber receives test pressure through the second valve and transmits it to the safety valve, separating the testing function from the pressure control function, thereby ensuring reliable pressure transmission during both operation and testing.
4Device complexity
If the seat part corresponding to the opening and closing valve is formed directly on the partition wall, then the structure is simplified, but the entire accommodating chamber must be removed for repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat for the opening/closing valve is formed on the first valve body rather than directly on the partition wall of the fender. This segmentation allows the first valve body to be removed and repaired independently without requiring removal of the entire accommodating chamber or fender, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-function safety device for a pneumatic fender to be serve as a buffer in case of collision between a ship and a berth, comprises a first valve body (10) that is provided at an end of the pneumatic fender and controls incoming and outgoing of air; a first valve (13) that is installed so as to be detachable from the first valve body and opens and closes communication of air inside and outside the pneumatic fender by communicating an inside of the pneumatic fender with a first accommodating space (11e) provided in a first body included in the first valve body; a second valve body (20) that is installed in the first accommodating space and is provided with a second accommodating space (21b)so that the air inside the pneumatic fender is accommodated through a second valve; the second valve (22) that is disposed on a lower portion of the second valve body to prevent the air of a test pressure provided for a pneumatic test of a safety valve from flowing into the pneumatic fender; the safety valve (30) that is installed in the second accommodating space and is provided with an outlet for discharging the air to an outside through a through passage and a connection passage of the first valve body and a through passage of the second valve body when an internal pressure of the pneumatic fender is greater than or equal to a preset pressure; a pneumatic test part (37) that is disposed in the safety valve and is provided to perform a pneumatic operation test of the safety valve; and a manual test part (38b) that is disposed on a protective cover (38) formed on an upper portion of the safety valve and is provided for a manual operation test of the safety valve are included. The first valve, the second valve, the safety valve, the pneumatic test part, and the manual test part are provided in the first valve body, so that a separate accommodating chamber is unnecessary, and a volume and a weight are reduced.