Integrated Fuel Line Valve Assembly for Safe Pressure Vessel Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure vessel systems for vehicles lack an installation space-efficient and cost-effective valve assembly that can efficiently drain fuel while minimizing fuel loss and operational risks during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly integrating a manually actuated shut-off valve with a drainage opening and a closure element, where the shut-off valve prevents the closure element's movement from a sealed to an open position only when closed, allowing for efficient drainage of the fuel line without additional valves, reducing the risk of incorrect operation and fuel loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate drain valve is provided to enable drainage of the fuel line, then the drainage function is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drain valve and shut-off valve into a single integrated valve assembly. The shut-off valve body houses both the drainage opening with its closure element and the fuel line shut-off mechanism, eliminating the need for separate drain and shut-off valves while maintaining both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a shut-off valve for the fuel line and a drain valve for draining fuel from the fuel line through the integrated drainage opening and closure element
2Productivity
If the closure element is allowed to move freely to open the drainage opening, then the drainage speed is improved, but the risk of incorrect operation and fuel loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly requires the shut-off valve to be closed (fuel line sealed) before the closure element can be moved to open the drainage opening. This preliminary action ensures that fuel cannot escape through the shut-off valve while draining occurs through the drainage opening, preventing incorrect operation and fuel loss
Solution Approach 2:
The movement of the closure element is dynamically controlled based on the position of the shut-off valve. The closure element can only move from the closed position to the open position when the shut-off valve is closed, creating a conditional dynamic system that prevents unsafe operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are provided for shut-off and drainage functions, then the functional versatility is improved, but the installation space and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shut-off valve and drain valve into a single compact valve assembly, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing installation space while maintaining both shut-off and drainage functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated shut-off valve is designed to provide multiple functions including fuel line shut-off, drainage opening control, and prevention of incorrect operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate valves and reducing overall system volume
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a fuel pressure vessel system includes: a fuel line; a shutoff valve at the fuel line, which shutoff valve is to be manually actuated; a discharge opening fluidically connected to the fuel line; and a closure element. The shutoff valve is designed to prevent a movement of the closure element from a first position, in which the closure element closes the discharge opening, into a second position, in which the closure element allows flow through the discharge opening, when the shutoff valve is in its open position. The shutoff valve is designed to allow the movement of the closure element from the first position into the second position when the shutoff valve is its closed position, in which the shutoff valve closes the fuel line.