Oil Tank Seal With Cable Greasing for Leak and Wear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil tank sealing technologies face issues with material wear and unexpected leaks due to cracking or tearing of seals, and cable greasing devices often suffer from friction, heat, electrical conduction, and air introduction, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable oil tank seal device featuring a pipe tee filled with solid epoxy, o-rings, and a refillable greaser component with a spring-loaded plunger, using low-conductivity materials and a grease line for friction reduction, which is scalable and easy to maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard pipe or flexible tube inserts with rubber or flexible plastic seals are used to seal access holes, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seals wear quickly and can fail without warning due to cracking or tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional rubber or flexible plastic seals to a foam material with specific properties (closed-cell structure, chemical resistance, elasticity). This parameter change allows the seal to maintain its sealing effectiveness while significantly improving durability and resistance to cracking or tearing, directly resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and service life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables move across or through hardened surfaces in oil tanks, then measurement and monitoring functions are enabled, but friction acts on the cable causing fraying and slowing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foam seal as an intermediary element between the cable and the hardened tank surface. This foam material serves as a mediator that reduces direct contact and friction between the cable and hard surfaces, thereby preventing cable fraying and maintaining smooth movement while still enabling the cable to pass through for measurement and monitoring functions.
3Ease of operation
If traditional cable greasing devices with multiple moving parts are used, then cable lubrication is provided, but the devices require consistent maintenance and are prone to breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex moving parts (grooved wheels, squeegee blades, valves) from traditional cable greasing devices. Instead, it uses a simple foam seal that passively provides lubrication through its material properties and structure, removing the need for maintenance-prone mechanical components while maintaining the cable lubrication function.
4Strength
If metal components are used in cable greasing devices, then structural strength is provided, but friction and heat are applied to the cable and electrical conduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material strategy by using foam material (non-conductive, low friction) for the seal components that contact the cable, while metal components are used only for structural elements that do not contact the cable. This composite approach provides necessary structural strength while eliminating friction, heat, and electrical conduction issues between metal parts and the cable.
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 effectively seals oil tanks, reduces friction on cables, prevents leaks, and minimizes maintenance by using durable, low-conductivity materials and a reliable greasing mechanism, ensuring consistent performance and reduced wear on cables.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded plunger seated inside the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a refillable greaser component... for the application of friction-reducing grease to cables or ropes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a device for sealing a hole or valve in a petroleum tank to prevent emissions, while optionally also automatically greasing a cable in a measured amount to combat friction and a method of use of such device, along with methods of manufacture and use.