Groundwire Connection Verification System for Fluid Transfer Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industries involving fluid transportation, static electricity buildup poses a significant risk due to low conductivity fluids and mechanical agitation, and existing grounding systems rely on manual operator connection, which can be overlooked, especially in remote hydraulic fracturing operations where ensuring proper grounding is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for verifying a groundwire connection to a vehicle, including a communicating member attached to the groundwire, a grounding unit, and a processor that determines the connection status, allowing fluid transfer only when the groundwire is properly connected, and enabling remote monitoring and control of fluid transfer activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual groundwire connection is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the reliability of grounding verification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically verifies grounding status through communicating members on the groundwire and grounding unit that exchange signals to confirm proper connection, eliminating the need for manual verification by operators while maintaining simplicity of the grounding action itself
Solution Approach 2:
The processor receives signals from communicating members to provide feedback on whether the groundwire is properly connected, enabling automatic determination of grounding status and control of fluid transfer based on verified grounding
2Reliability
If automated grounding verification system is implemented, then the reliability of grounding verification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Communicating members serve as intermediaries between the groundwire and the processor, using signal exchange to verify connection status without requiring complex direct sensing or measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification with an automated electronic signaling system using communicating members that transmit verification data to the processor, eliminating the need for operator judgment while adding minimal physical complexity
3Reliability
If remote monitoring of multiple vehicles is enabled, then the accountability and safety control are improved, but the device complexity and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor and communicating members serve multiple functions: verifying local grounding status, controlling local fluid transfer, and enabling remote monitoring of multiple vehicles, allowing a single system design to handle various operational requirements without requiring separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method, system, and apparatus for verifying a groundwire connection prior to transferring a fluid between a tank and a reservoir. The system may comprise a vehicle comprising a tank and a groundwire, the groundwire comprising a first communicating member, a grounding unit configured to electrically ground the vehicle when the groundwire is connected thereto, the grounding unit comprising a second communicating member, and at least one processor in communication with at least one of the first communicating member and the second communicating member. The at least one processor may be configured to determine whether the groundwire is connected to the grounding unit, and facilitate fluid transfer between the tank and the reservoir based at least partially on the determination.