Magnetic Gas Level Gauge Mechanism for Liquefied Gas Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas tank overfill prevention devices fail to accurately indicate the remaining amount of liquefied gas, leading to inconvenient and dangerous situations, as they are not suitable for liquefied gases due to high friction mechanisms designed for gasoline or diesel.
Innovation Solution
An overfill prevention device with a mechanism that utilizes a float to rotate a pinion, which drives a toothed rack to accurately indicate the gas level, featuring a pinion pivotally connected to a second tubular member, a toothed rack with reduced friction, and a control rod with a magnet to operate a gauge, allowing for precise measurement of gas remaining in the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high friction mechanism like Lundquist's liquid level gage is used, then it works well for gasoline or diesel, but it fails for liquefied gas where buoyancy is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-friction mechanical wire-pulley system with a magnetic field-based indication system. The float contains a magnet that interacts with a permanent magnet in the gauge, eliminating the need for high-friction mechanical contact while maintaining reliable level indication across different liquid types including liquefied gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the indication mechanism by using magnetic interaction instead of mechanical friction. This allows the system to adapt to different liquid densities and buoyancy characteristics, making it versatile for both gasoline/diesel and liquefied gas applications.
2Measurement precision
If a crank mechanism is used to convert float movement to rod displacement, then level indication is achieved, but the rod easily gets stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the crank mechanism and associated mechanical linkages by using direct magnetic coupling between the float and gauge. This substitution removes the sticking problem inherent in mechanical systems while maintaining precise level measurement through magnetic field interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the float and the gauge indication system. This intermediary allows for smooth, stick-free transmission of movement information from the float to the gauge without direct mechanical contact.
3Ease of operation
If multiple gas tanks are kept to ensure continuous supply, then cooking can continue, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback system through the level gauge that allows users to monitor gas levels in real-time. This feedback enables continuous cooking from a single tank by providing early warning of low levels, eliminating the need to maintain multiple tanks while preserving safety.
4Device complexity
If a simple valve is used in gas tanks, then the device is simple and cheap, but the user cannot perceive when gas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indication through the gauge mechanism that displays different levels clearly. The magnetic interaction produces visible movement of the gauge indicator, providing intuitive color or position changes that inform users of gas levels without adding complex electronic components.
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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and efficient mechanism for accurately indicating the gas level, reducing purging time and avoiding the limitations of previous technologies, ensuring safe and convenient gas usage.
Implementation Method 1
a float (9)... The buoyancy received by the float is small
Implementation Method 2
a pinion (92) pivotally connected to the second tubular member (2)... a toothed rack (91) meshed with the pinion (92)
Implementation Method 3
a first magnet (801) mounted at the upper end of the control rod (200)... a gauge (100) mounted on the valve body (90) and provided with a second permanent magnet (1003)
Data Source
AI summary
An overfill prevention device which includes a first tubular member, a cylindrical piston fitted within the first tubular member, a second tubular member having a cylindrical recess open, a plug arranged within the second tubular member, a float rod having a cam plate, a float connected with a lower end of the float rod, a valve body having a lower end engaged with the first tubular member, a pinion pivotally connected to the second tubular member by the pin, a toothed rack meshed with the pinion and engaged with the second tubular member, a control rod having an upper end extending into the valve body and a lower end secured to the toothed rack, a first magnet mounted at the upper end of the control rod, and a gauge mounted on the valve body and provided with a second permanent magnet and a needle operatively connected with the second magnet.