Hydraulically Powered Immersible Fuel Pumping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to maintain the operation of oil-burning equipment like generators and boilers during flooding due to the submersion of electrically driven pumps and fuel storage tanks, which prevents the transfer of fuel from the main storage tank to the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system where oil-burning equipment is installed above the flood plain, utilizing an electrically powered hydraulic pumping system to pump hydraulic fluid to an immersible hydraulic fuel pumping system, which powers oil pumps to transfer fuel from the main tank, eliminating the need for electricity at the flooded location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically driven pumps are located with the main storage tank in the flood plain, then the system can pump fuel during normal conditions, but the pumps become flooded and destroyed when flooding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary hydraulic fluid transfer mechanism. An electrically driven hydraulic pump located above the flood plain pumps hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic line to a hydraulically driven fuel pump located in the flood plain. This intermediary hydraulic system allows the electrical components to remain safe from flooding while still enabling fuel transfer during flood conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the pumping system into two separate functional components: an electrical hydraulic pump system located above the flood plain and a hydraulic fuel pump system located in the flood plain. This segmentation isolates the electrical components from flood damage while maintaining fuel transfer capability through the hydraulic connection.
2Volume of stationary object
If the main oil storage tank is located at low elevations below the flood plain, then space is utilized efficiently, but the tank becomes submerged and inaccessible during flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary medium that can be pumped through submerged or flooded areas. The hydraulic line connects the above-flood electrical pump to the in-flood fuel pump, allowing fuel extraction even when the storage tank is submerged, as long as the fuel pump remains functional.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bolted cover enclosures are used to protect pumps from flooding, then some protection is provided, but leaks develop over time destroying the pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic line serves as a sealed intermediary conduit that protects the fuel pump from flood water ingress. Instead of relying on a bolted cover enclosure that degrades over time, the system uses a pressurized hydraulic line that maintains its seal integrity, allowing the fuel pump to operate reliably in the flood plain environment.
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
Ensures continuous operation of oil-burning equipment during flooding by maintaining fuel supply without electrical power at the flooded site, enhancing reliability and reducing the risk of equipment failure due to flooding.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically powered hydraulic pump is used to pump hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic line to an immersible hydraulic fuel pumping system
Data Source
AI summary
A partially immersible system includes fuel burning equipment such as an electrical generator located above a flood plain. A hydraulic fluid pumping system is located above the flood plain, and is connected to an immersible hydraulically powered fuel pumping system, which includes hydraulic motors connected to pumps connected to a fuel tank and to the fuel burning equipment to supply fuel to the fuel burning equipment.