Hydraulic Locking Device Blind Channel Tamper Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for pneumatic or hydraulic systems are vulnerable to tampering, as the key lock protrusion can be easily sheared, allowing unauthorized access and fluid flow, despite attempts to reinforce with hardened materials.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a blind channel within the main body that communicates with the outlet channel, ensuring that any attempt to shear the key lock results in irreversible fluid leakage, preventing unauthorized access and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the key lock protrusion is reinforced with hardened materials or surface treatment, then the time required to shear the protrusion is increased, but the final result of removing the key lock is still achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of shearing (which was previously useful for tampering) into a beneficial security feature. The blind channel is designed so that any shearing action, whether attempted by authorized or unauthorized personnel, inevitably creates a communication path between the blind channel and the external environment, causing fluid leakage that prevents further operation. This transforms the shearing mechanism from a tool of attack into a trigger for the security response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the blind channel in a sealed state that prevents any potential tampering before it occurs. The channel is designed to remain blind (sealed) during normal operation and only becomes communicative when compromised. This preliminary configuration ensures that any attempt to access the internal components through shearing immediately triggers the leakage mechanism, preventing unauthorized operation before it can begin.
2Reliability
If the key lock protrusion is made more secure, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the ease of operation by authorized personnel may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid pathway into a blind channel that is isolated during normal operation and a main channel for fluid flow. This segmentation allows the key lock and control mechanisms to remain accessible and operable by authorized personnel while the blind channel remains sealed and inaccessible. The segmentation creates a physical and functional separation between the operational components and the security mechanism.
3Reliability
If a blind channel is added to the main body, then fluid leakage is caused upon shearing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security function with the existing hydraulic circuit structure. The blind channel is integrated into the main body of the device and shares the same structural space and manufacturing processes as the existing channels. The key lock mechanism already provides the shearing capability, and the patent simply utilizes this existing feature to trigger the security response, rather than adding a separate triggering mechanism. This merging approach minimizes additional complexity while achieving the security objective.
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 solution effectively discourages tampering by causing continuous oil leakage and pressure drop, making it impossible to start the machine, thereby enhancing security and preventing unauthorized operation.
Implementation Method 1
it causes leakage of the working fluid which irreversibly compromises its flow from inlet channel to outlet channel of the locking device
Implementation Method 2
continuous oil leakage from channel 6 and subsequent pressure drop into the outlet channel 4 and the downstream hydraulic circuit portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A key-controlled locking device (10) suitable for hydraulic or pneumatic systems and provided with a blind channel (6) communicating with the inner hydraulic circuit of the device (10) is disclosed, said channel (6) extending for almost the whole height of the slot (2) of the key lock, such that a an attempted shear of said slot - intended for removal of the same key lock - leads to a leakage from the channel (6) of the working fluid and to a consequent pressure drop thus causing an irreversible stop condition of the machine said device (10) is applied to.