Fluid Receiver Removable Sleeve for Reduced Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid receivers require frequent replacement of nozzle mating features due to wear, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime, especially in industries like construction and mining, where downtime results in significant economic losses, and existing solutions either waste fuel or create backpressure during refueling.
Innovation Solution
A fluid receiver design featuring a removable sleeve that secures to the base without breaking the seal between the valve and the nose portion, allowing for easy replacement or maintenance of the sleeve without removing the receiver from the vehicle, and maintaining a constant or increasing cross-sectional area to reduce backpressure and enhance fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire receiver is replaced to replace worn nozzle mating features, then the connection reliability is restored, but the equipment downtime increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into two separable parts: a base portion that remains attached to the equipment and a nose portion that can be removed and replaced independently. This segmentation allows replacement of only the worn nose portion rather than the entire receiver, thereby restoring connection reliability while minimizing equipment downtime.
2Loss of time
If just the nose portion is removed for replacing nozzle mating features, then the replacement time is reduced, but fuel spills out and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
A valve is positioned within the base portion that automatically closes before the nose portion is removed. This preliminary action seals the fuel within the base portion, preventing fuel spillage when the nose portion is detached for replacement, thereby reducing fuel waste while maintaining quick replacement capability.
3Loss of substance
If a second poppet or check valve is added to seal the base when nose is removed, then fuel leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve functionality is merged into the existing base portion structure rather than adding a separate sealing mechanism. The valve is integrated within the base portion and works in conjunction with the nose portion removal, providing fuel leakage prevention without significantly increasing device complexity through component consolidation.
4Volume of moving object
If the cross-sectional area of the receiver decreases from inlet to outlet, then the receiver structure is compact, but backpressure increases and fuel flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the receiver is optimized to maintain a constant or increasing area from inlet to outlet. This parameter change reduces backpressure and improves fuel flow rate while the overall receiver design remains compact through efficient spatial arrangement and the separable base-nose structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.