Lockable Confined Space Cover with Ventilated Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current confined space control devices fail to prevent unauthorized access and injuries in heavy industries, despite existing safety measures, and lack effective protection against environmental elements like water and dust.

Innovation Solution

A lockable confined space cover made of chemical-resistant fabric, with optional ventilated mesh, that securely locks over man-ways on towers, vessels, or tanks, incorporating OSHA's lock-out tag-out procedure to prevent unauthorized entry and provide protection from environmental elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a confined space cover is made solid and sealed to prevent unauthorized access and environmental contamination, then protection against water and dust is improved, but ventilation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against water and dustVSAvoidventilation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mesh or perforated material for the confined space cover that allows air passage while blocking water and dust particles. The porous structure enables ventilation functionality while maintaining protection against harmful environmental factors, resolving the contradiction between sealing and ventilation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If a lockable mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized entry, then safety and access control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and access controlVSAvoidlockable mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lockable mechanism is designed to be operated by authorized personnel using a simple locking action, after which the cover remains securely in place without requiring continuous monitoring or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by maintaining the locked state passively, reducing operational complexity while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the cover is made fully sealed to eliminate any possibility of breaking the plane, then safety against unauthorized entry is improved, but ventilation and atmospheric testing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against unauthorized entryVSAvoidventilation and atmospheric testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover incorporates designated openings or mesh sections that are strategically positioned to allow atmospheric testing and ventilation while maintaining overall structural integrity and safety. The segmented design enables selective permeability, allowing necessary operations while preventing unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8684061B2Confined space control cover

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 PORTER MERLINA BAJRAMI

AI summary

A confined space control cover that covers a man-way to a confined space area that includes a polyester base cover and an attachment perimeter orifice that covers the man-way, a heavy nylon strapping with two ends that is utilized to secure the confined space control cover over the man-way and a plurality of steel eyelets that are disposed on both ends of the strapping. A lock is placed through the eyelets on both ends to secure the control cover to the man-way. The control cover also includes a warning sign disposed on the front of the base cover to prevent persons from entering the confined space area and a maintenance tag that is attached to the strapping to indicate maintenance activity performed near or within the confined space area or man-way.