Flexible Hatch Plate for Bulk Material Loading Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loading arms for transferring bulk materials into transport tanks often experience misalignment due to wear, temperature changes, and uneven surfaces, leading to vapor and dust leakage during the loading process.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hatch plate with a resiliently flexible section that can deform to accommodate misalignment and gaps, reducing vapor flow while maintaining functionality across various conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rigid hatch plate is used to seal the top hatch, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gaps develop due to wear, warping, and misalignment causing vapor leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional rigid hatch plate with a flexible membrane that can deform to accommodate misalignment and wear. The membrane is secured to the discharge end of the flexible hose and forms a vapor-tight seal over the top hatch opening, eliminating gaps while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the hatch plate from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the sealing element to adapt its shape and position dynamically, accommodating wear, warping, and misalignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the loading arm is designed to achieve precise alignment perpendicular to the hatch plane, then vapor sealing is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to uneven tracks and sloped grades
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane seal can deform to accommodate misalignment between the loading arm and the top hatch, eliminating the need for precise perpendicular alignment. This allows the system to tolerate uneven tracks and sloped grades while maintaining vapor seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid seal to a dynamic flexible membrane that can adapt its configuration. The membrane's ability to deform dynamically allows it to compensate for misalignment caused by uneven surfaces and track conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If J-hooks or bolt fasteners are used to secure the hatch plate, then the plate can be attached to the hatch, but wear and damage to the hatch or plate create gaps that allow vapor escape
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is secured to the discharge end of the flexible hose using simple fasteners, eliminating the need for attachment to the hatch itself. This removes the wear and damage issues associated with J-hooks and bolts while maintaining ease of manufacture and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose discharge end serves as an intermediary element between the fastening mechanism and the hatch. By securing the membrane to this intermediary rather than directly to the hatch, the system eliminates wear on the hatch structure while maintaining secure attachment.
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
This solution effectively reduces vapor emissions during the loading process by accommodating misalignment and wear-related issues, providing a more reliable sealing mechanism without complete vapor-tightness.
Implementation Method 1
the resiliently flexible section (44) of said bottom member (42)
Data Source
AI summary
A loading arm that transfers flowing bulk material from a storage vessel and into a transport tank through a top hatch of the transport tank that is carried on a truck or rail car for transport includes an articulating arm having a plurality of connected hollow pipes. A hatch plate connected to the discharge of the aim and defines a top member, a bottom member and an outer edge connecting the top and bottom members. At least one of the bottom member and the outer edge of the hatch plate defines a resiliently flexible section configured to deform upon engaging with the top hatch of the transport tank.