Liquid Proving System Vapor Conduit and Self-Sealing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottom drain liquid proving systems for calibrating gasoline and diesel pumps at filling stations face issues with vapor loss during liquid measurement, leading to inaccurate volume readings and potential operator exposure to hazardous vapors.

Innovation Solution

A bottom drain liquid proving system with a vapor conduit and a self-sealing prover fill opening assembly that maintains a saturated vapor environment and minimizes vapor release, using a combination of a nozzle sealing gasket and a nozzle removed self-seal assembly to form a vapor-tight seal around the nozzle during filling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the prover is opened for filling liquid, then liquid can be pumped into the prover, but vapor is released to atmosphere causing inaccurate volume readings and operator exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling operationVSAvoidvolume reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A vapor conduit acts as an intermediary component that provides a dedicated pathway for vapor to travel from the prover interior to the holding tank, preventing direct release to atmosphere while maintaining the filling operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains a closed vapor-liquid equilibrium environment by routing vapors through the vapor conduit to the holding tank, effectively creating an inert atmosphere that prevents uncontrolled vapor release and ensures accurate volume measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of operation

If the prover is opened for filling liquid, then liquid can be pumped into the prover, but hazardous vapors are released near the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling operationVSAvoidoperator exposure to hazardous vapors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vapor conduit serves as a mediator that intercepts vapor at the source and redirects it through a controlled pathway to the holding tank, eliminating the harmful effect of vapor release near the operator while preserving the filling operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful vapor release into a beneficial controlled process by routing vapors through the vapor conduit to the holding tank, where they are contained and managed, thereby eliminating operator exposure while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If a simple opening is used for filling, then the device is simple, but vapor tight seal cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill opening structureVSAvoidvapor tight seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple functional components: a fill opening assembly with sealing elements and a separate vapor conduit, allowing each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vapor conduit acts as an intermediary sealing element that works in conjunction with the fill opening assembly, providing an additional vapor-tight barrier without requiring complex modifications to the basic filling structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents vapor loss during liquid measurement, ensuring accurate volume readings and preventing vapor release near the operator, thereby maintaining calibration accuracy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a vapor conduit (40) is provided between the upper section (100a) of the prover and the interior volume of the holding tank (200) to establish a saturated vapor environment in the interior volume of the prover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor transport: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

The prover fill opening self sealing assembly has a self sealing opening that opens when a liquid dispensing nozzle is pushed against the self sealing opening and forms a substantially vapor tight seal around the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor seal: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS7874195B2Liquid proving system

Publication Date: 2011.01.25 PEMBERTON FABTORS

AI summary

A liquid proving system is provided with a bottom drain liquid prover draining into a holding tank. The fill opening of the prover has a prover fill opening self sealing assembly that remains closed except when a nozzle used to pump liquid into the prover is pushed through the opening of the prover fill opening self sealing assembly. The prover fill opening self sealing assembly may comprise a nozzle sealing gasket and a nozzle removed self seal assembly. There is a vapor conduit connecting the interior of the prover in the region of the fill opening and the interior of the holding tank to form a saturated vapor environment in the prover and holding tank from the vapors emitted from liquid in the holing tank. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover.