Mobile Refueling Hazard Detection for Fuel Valve Interlocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile refueling systems lack effective hazard detection and fire prevention mechanisms, posing risks during refueling operations in densely populated areas.

Innovation Solution

A method for hazard detection and fire prevention in mobile refueling systems, which involves accessing and analyzing signals representing geospatial position, distance from objects, gas concentration, and wind speed, and transmitting control signals to manage fuel valve operations based on detected conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile refueling systems operate in densely populated areas, then refueling accessibility and convenience are improved, but safety risks and fire hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefueling accessibilityVSAvoidfire hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary hazard detection by monitoring geospatial position, distance to objects, gas concentration, and wind speed before initiating refueling operations. The controller evaluates multiple conditions in advance and only permits fuel dispensing when safety criteria are met, preventing fire hazards before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors environmental parameters and operational conditions during refueling, with the controller receiving real-time feedback from sensors. When hazardous conditions are detected (such as high gas concentration or proximity to flammable objects), the system automatically adjusts or terminates fuel dispensing to prevent fire incidents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of multiple parameters is implemented, then safety and fire prevention are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: it manages fuel valve operations, monitors geospatial position, evaluates distance to objects, analyzes gas concentration levels, and assesses wind speed conditions. By consolidating these diverse monitoring and control functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves comprehensive safety monitoring without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple sensor inputs (position sensors, distance sensors, gas concentration sensors, wind speed sensors) and integrates their data processing into a unified control system. This merging of sensing and control functions into an integrated platform reduces the complexity that would arise from separate independent systems for each monitoring function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12233825B2Method for hazard detection and fire prevention in a mobile refueling system
Publication Date: 2025.02.25 FIRE & RISK ALLIANCE LLC
  • US12233825B2 patent drawing
  • US12233825B2 patent drawing
  • US12233825B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for hazard detection and fire prevention during mobile refueling operation includes: accessing a geospatial position of a mobile refueling platform; detecting the geospatial position within a geospatial region as a first condition in a set of conditions, the geospatial region permitted for refueling operation; accessing a distance between the mobile refueling platform and a surface of an object proximal the mobile refueling platform; detecting the distance exceeding a distance threshold as a second condition in the set of conditions; accessing a concentration of a gas proximal the mobile refueling platform; detecting the concentration falling below a concentration threshold as a third condition in the first set of conditions; and in response to the set of conditions corresponding to a set of target conditions for mobile refueling operation, transmitting a control signal to open a fuel valve of the mobile refueling platform.