Fluid Transfer Coupling Countercurrent Vapor Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid transfer couplings for re-fueling vehicles, particularly in racing applications, result in significant fuel spillage and health risks due to the release of volatile hydrocarbons, and can lead to vapor lock conditions that decrease engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer coupling system with a spring-biased quasi-cylindrical sleeve that separates liquid and vapor passages, allowing for countercurrent transfer, minimizing spillage and vapor lock issues by ensuring efficient fluid flow and quick coupling/disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional fluid transfer coupling is used for refueling, then the refueling operation can be completed, but significant fuel spillage occurs and health risks arise from volatile hydrocarbon release
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separate liquid transfer components and vapor management components. The liquid conduit transfers fuel while the vapor conduit separately manages hydrocarbon vapors, preventing mixed spillage and enabling targeted control of harmful vapor release away from personnel and environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A vapor conduit acts as an intermediary pathway that captures volatile hydrocarbons at the source (fuel tank headspace) and directs them through a controlled route away from the refueling operation area, eliminating the need for vapors to escape into the surrounding environment during coupling and refueling operations.
2Loss of time
If the coupling is quickly disconnected after refueling, then refueling time is reduced, but fuel spillage increases due to residual liquid in the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor conduit extracts and removes volatile hydrocarbons from the fuel tank headspace separately from the liquid fuel transfer pathway. This extraction function operates independently, allowing the liquid conduit to be quickly disconnected without worrying about trapped vapors causing spillage or pressure issues, thereby reducing refueling time without increasing spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system incorporates dynamic flow control where liquid and vapor flows are managed through separate conduits with different flow characteristics. The liquid conduit can be quickly disconnected since residual liquid is minimal, while the vapor conduit maintains continuous operation to manage headspace pressures, enabling fast refueling without spillage penalties.
3Device complexity
If vapor is not managed during refueling, then the system is simpler, but vapor lock conditions occur that decrease engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system segments vapor management from liquid transfer by providing a dedicated vapor conduit that separately handles hydrocarbon vapors. This segmentation prevents vapor interference with the liquid fuel delivery system, eliminating vapor lock conditions while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture through functional separation rather than complex integrated controls.
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
The system significantly reduces fuel spillage and health risks, enhances engine performance by preventing vapor lock, and accelerates refueling operations, potentially gaining competitive advantages in racing.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased quasi-cylindrical sleeve that separates liquid and vapor passages, allowing for countercurrent transfer
Implementation Method 2
a spring-biased quasi-cylindrical sleeve that is slidably disposed within a cover
Data Source
AI summary
Complementary couplers useful in providing a coupling through which liquids may be transferred from a first storage reservoir or tank to a second storage reservoir or tank, which can be an on-board fuel tank of a motorized vehicle. There is a first coupling which is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of a receiving vessel, fuel tank, etc. and a second coupling which is intended to be in fluid communication with the contents of a storage reservoir containing a chemical, liquid fuel, etc. The disclosure also includes a process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere. Through use of the present disclosure, more rapid liquid transfer through individual couplers occurs with reduced losses of liquid chemicals, fuel, etc. versus prior art couplers.