Fluid Conduit Interlock Mechanism for Spill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conduit systems lack a reliable mechanism to ensure safe and quick release without spillage, necessitating lengthy safety sequences to prevent fluid leakage during disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit interlock system with retention members and a valve member linked by an interlock mechanism, ensuring the conduit is retained when the valve is open and closed, featuring interlocking capabilities to prevent accidental spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve system is used without interlock mechanism, then the valve can be operated independently, but the fluid conduit may be released while the valve is open causing spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve operation and conduit retention functions into a single interlocked system. The retention member and valve member are mechanically linked through an interlock mechanism with interlocking members that prevent independent operation, ensuring that the valve can only be opened when the conduit is securely retained and the conduit can only be released when the valve is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock mechanism acts as an intermediary between the retention member and valve member. It includes interlocking members with engaged surfaces that mediate the relationship between the two components, transmitting mechanical constraints and ensuring coordinated operation to prevent unsafe states.
2Reliability
If safety steps are added to prevent spillage during conduit release, then safety is improved, but the release process becomes lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock mechanism is pre-configured with interlocking members that automatically enforce the correct operational sequence. The engaged surfaces are designed so that the valve position is predetermined by the retention member position, eliminating the need for operators to perform multiple separate safety checks and ensuring rapid, error-free operation.
3Ease of operation
If the retention member is allowed to move freely when the valve is open, then operation is simple, but the conduit may be accidentally released causing spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by mechanically preventing the retention member from moving to the release position when the valve member is in the open position. The interlocking members with engaged surfaces create a mechanical barrier that opposes any attempt to release the conduit while fluid is flowing, forcing the operator to close the valve first.
4Ease of operation
If the valve member is allowed to move freely when the conduit is released, then operation is simple, but fluid may leak from the open conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the valve member from moving to the open position when the retention member is in the release position. The interlocking members create a mechanical constraint that opposes valve opening when the conduit is not securely retained, ensuring the valve remains closed and preventing fluid leakage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid conduit interlock comprises: at least one retention member (16) for engaging a fluid conduit (200), the or each retention member (16) configured to be movable between a retention position for retaining the fluid conduit (200) and a release position for releasing the fluid conduit (200); a valve member configured to be movable between a valve open position for opening a hollow bore and a valve closed position for closing the hollow bore; and an interlock mechanism (300) configured to operably link the movement of the or each retention member (16) and the movement of the valve member so that the or each retention member (16) in the release position locks the valve member in the valve closed position and so that the valve member in the valve open position locks the or each retention member (16) in the retention position, wherein the fluid conduit interlock includes a blank (400) configured to removably engage the or each retention member (16) so as to maintain the or each retention member (16) in the release position.