Portable fluid exchange system for concurrently pumping liquid from a source container to a destination container and pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fuel containers face challenges in concurrent liquid and vapor pumping, leading to delayed vapor recovery due to pressure buildup and reliance on negative pressure within the container, resulting in environmental pollution and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A portable fluid exchange system with a liquid and vapor pump that simultaneously pumps liquid from a source to a destination and vapor back to the source, using a selectively controllable actuation mechanism to manage fluid volumes and pressures independently, eliminating the need for negative pressure and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vapor recovery relies on negative pressure within the source container, then vapor can be suctioned back into the container, but there is a significant delay before vapor recovery begins due to pressure buildup and head pressure that must be overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a venting mechanism that actively relieves pressure within the source container before vapor recovery begins. This pre-vents pressure buildup that would otherwise delay vapor suction, allowing immediate vapor recovery once liquid transfer starts. The venting action is performed in advance to create favorable pressure conditions for subsequent vapor recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary venting mechanism that mediates between the pressure buildup in the source container and the vapor recovery process. This intermediary component actively manages pressure conditions, allowing vapor recovery to begin immediately by facilitating pressure relief without requiring the system to wait for natural pressure equalization.
2Device complexity
If a single spout is used for both liquid delivery and vapor recovery, then the system is simpler, but vapor recovery is delayed until liquid flow establishes negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the spout into separate functional channels: one for liquid delivery and another for vapor recovery. This segmentation allows vapor recovery to occur independently and simultaneously with liquid transfer, eliminating the delay that occurs in single-channel systems where vapor recovery must wait for liquid flow to establish negative pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is designed with multi-functionality, serving both liquid delivery and vapor recovery purposes through separate channels. This universal design allows the same component to handle both functions concurrently, maintaining system simplicity while improving vapor recovery speed by enabling simultaneous operation rather than sequential dependency.
3Ease of operation
If vapor recovery depends on pressure relief and negative pressure conditions, then the system uses passive mechanisms, but environmentally harmful vapor is released during the delay period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of pressure buildup (which delays vapor recovery and causes vapor release) into a beneficial condition by using the pressure differential to drive active vapor pumping. The pump actively moves vapor during the entire liquid transfer process, including periods when pressure conditions would otherwise be unfavorable, thereby preventing vapor release pollution while utilizing the existing pressure dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the vapor pump operation is monitored and adjusted based on pressure conditions and liquid flow rate. This feedback mechanism ensures that vapor recovery continues effectively throughout the transfer process, preventing vapor release by actively responding to changing pressure conditions rather than relying on passive negative pressure development.
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
Enables efficient and immediate vapor recovery during liquid transfer, preventing environmental pollution and improving operational efficiency without requiring electricity or complex feedback systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mechanism (110) having a liquid inlet (123) and a liquid outlet (124)... varying the volume of the liquid pumping portion (120) between a full configuration and a reduced configuration
Implementation Method 2
varying the volume of the vapor pumping portion (122) between a full configuration and a reduced configuration... concurrently pump vapor from the destination container (104) back to the source container (102)
Implementation Method 3
The liquid inlet (123) has a check valve (123b) and the vapor outlet (126) has a check valve (126b)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A portable fluid exchange system comprises a source container, a liquid and vapor pump for pumping liquid from the source container to the destination container and for pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container. The liquid inlet and vapor outlets of the liquid and vapor pump are connected in fluid communication with the source container. A liquid delivery hose delivers liquid from the pump to the destination container. A vapor delivery hose delivers vapor from the destination container to the pump. A selectively controllable actuation mechanism actuates the liquid and vapor pump to thereby concurrently pump liquid from the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid outlet and vapor into the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor inlet, and concurrently pump vapor from the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor outlet and liquid into the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid inlet.