Portable Fluid Exchange Pump for Concurrent Liquid and Vapor Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable fuel containers face challenges in concurrent liquid and vapor transfer due to delays in vapor recovery, reliance on pressure changes, and the need for electricity in existing systems, which are not portable, expensive, or complex.

Innovation Solution

A portable fluid exchange system with a liquid and vapor pumping mechanism that allows concurrent pumping of liquid from a source to a destination and vapor from the destination back to the source, using a selectively controllable actuation mechanism to manage fluid and vapor flow without requiring electricity, and featuring a two-line hose system for efficient vapor recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a flexible vapor recovery hose is connected to the source container to recover vapor after liquid delivery, then vapor recovery is achieved, but there is a significant delay in the start of vapor recovery due to pressure buildup and head pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor recoveryVSAvoiddelay in vapor recovery start

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by starting vapor recovery concurrently with liquid delivery rather than waiting until after liquid delivery completes. The vapor recovery hose is positioned to begin capturing vapor immediately as liquid starts being transferred, eliminating the delay caused by pressure buildup. This is achieved by having the vapor recovery system ready and positioned at the destination container inlet before liquid delivery begins, allowing simultaneous operation of both liquid and vapor transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by making vapor recovery a continuous process that occurs throughout the entire liquid delivery operation. Instead of vapor recovery being a separate post-delivery step, the system maintains continuous vapor capture from the moment liquid delivery starts until it completes. This is achieved through the concurrent pumping mechanism that continuously removes vapor from the destination container and returns it to the source container throughout the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Loss of substance

If existing vapor recovery systems are used, then vapor can be recovered, but the systems require electricity, are complex, and not portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor recoveryVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a vapor recovery system that uses the natural pressure differential created during liquid delivery to drive vapor recovery, eliminating the need for external power sources. The liquid delivery process itself creates the conditions necessary for vapor recovery - as liquid leaves the source container, a vacuum forms that automatically draws vapor back through the recovery hose. This self-powered mechanism replaces complex electrically-driven systems with a simple passive flow system that uses the delivery process itself to power vapor recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the liquid delivery function and vapor recovery function into a single integrated system. Instead of having separate systems for liquid transfer and vapor recovery, the invention combines both functions into one unified apparatus where the liquid delivery hose and vapor recovery hose work together as a coordinated pair. The liquid delivery creates the vacuum that drives vapor recovery, and both processes occur simultaneously through the same pump mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while achieving both objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If pressure buildup in the source container is allowed to occur, then liquid can be stored, but vapor recovery cannot begin until pressure is relieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid storageVSAvoidvapor loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by making vapor recovery a continuous process that occurs throughout the entire liquid delivery operation. Instead of vapor recovery being a separate post-delivery step, the system maintains continuous vapor capture from the moment liquid delivery starts until it completes. This is achieved through the concurrent pumping mechanism that continuously removes vapor from the destination container and returns it to the source container throughout the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient and simultaneous transfer of liquid and vapor without delays, is cost-effective, and can be manually powered, ensuring effective vapor recovery without the need for complex electronics or electricity, making it portable and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid and vapor pumping means for pumping liquid from the source container to the destination container and for pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8578974B2Portable fluid exchange system for concurrently pumping liquid from a source container to a destination container and pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container

Publication Date: 2013.11.12 FUEL TRANSFER TECH

AI summary

A portable fluid exchange system comprises a source container, a liquid and vapor pump for pumping liquid from the source container to the destination container and for pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container. The liquid inlet and vapor outlets of the liquid and vapor pump are connected in fluid communication with the source container. A liquid delivery hose delivers liquid from the pump to the destination container. A vapor delivery hose delivers vapor from the destination container to the pump. A selectively controllable actuation mechanism actuates the liquid and vapor pump to thereby concurrently pump liquid from the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid outlet and vapor into the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor inlet, and concurrently pump vapor from the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor outlet and liquid into the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid inlet.