Air-Permeable Membrane Fill Head for Fluid Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insufficient venting during the filling process of fluid storage tanks, such as diesel exhaust fluid systems, leads to spitback or wellback issues, resulting in a negative customer experience and increased system complexity due to the need for separate vent lines.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fill head with an air-permeable membrane that allows gas passage while preventing fluid spillage, eliminating the need for a separate vent line by integrating ventilation directly at the fill head, using a sealing member to prevent fluid backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate vent line is added to improve venting, then venting performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function with the fill head by integrating an air-permeable membrane directly into the fill head structure. This eliminates the need for a separate vent line while maintaining effective venting performance, as the membrane allows air to escape during filling operations directly at the fill location.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill head is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the fluid filling interface and the air venting pathway. The air-permeable membrane enables the fill head to simultaneously handle both liquid fluid intake and gaseous air discharge, reducing the overall system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If venting is improved during filling, then spitback is reduced, but system complexity increases due to separate vent line
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is merged into the fill head structure through the air-permeable membrane, allowing air to escape during filling right at the fill location. This prevents spitback by maintaining pressure equilibrium without requiring a separate vent line that would increase system complexity.
3Reliability
If an air-permeable membrane is used to allow gas passage, then venting is improved, but fluid spillback may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fill head incorporates different functional zones: the air-permeable membrane allows gas passage for venting, while the sealing member creates a fluid-tight barrier. This local differentiation of properties ensures that air can escape through the membrane while fluid is prevented from spilling back through the sealing member.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that selectively controls fluid flow while allowing the membrane to handle gas flow. This intermediary component ensures that the air-permeable membrane performs its venting function without compromising fluid containment.
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
This solution reduces or eliminates spitback and wellback conditions, simplifies the system by removing the need for a separate vent line, and enhances customer satisfaction by improving the filling process while reducing manufacturing and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an air-permeable membrane extending at least partially across the at least one opening formed in the body surface of the hollow member, and a sealing member. The membrane permits passage of a gas across the membrane to improve venting of the fluid storage vessel
Implementation Method 2
The membrane permits passage of a gas across the membrane to improve venting of the fluid storage vessel and the seal prevents spillback of fluid during fill operations
Data Source
AI summary
A system and apparatus for improving ventilation of a fluid system is disclosed herein. An apparatus for improving ventilation of a fluid storage tank includes a hollow member having a sidewall and an opening formed in the sidewall and an air-permeable membrane extending at least partially across the opening. The membrane permits the passage of air across the membrane and restricts the passage of fluid across the membrane.