Portable Fuel Pumping With Concurrent Vapor Equalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fuel containers face challenges in concurrent liquid and vapor pumping, with delays in vapor recovery due to pressure buildup and head pressure, leading to environmental pollution and inefficiencies in vapor recovery systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable pumping apparatus with a liquid and vapor pumping means having a selectively controllable actuation mechanism that concurrently pumps liquid and vapor, using a variable volume liquid and vapor pumping portion to alternately pump liquid and vapor between the source and destination containers, independent of liquid flow conditions and without requiring electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible vapor recovery hose is connected to the source container to recover vapor after liquid delivery, then vapor recovery is accomplished, but there is a significant delay in the start of vapor recovery due to pressure buildup and head pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a vapor equalization line that allows vapor to be transferred from the destination container to the source container before the liquid delivery is complete. This preliminary vapor transfer prevents pressure buildup in the source container, ensuring that vapor recovery can begin immediately when liquid delivery starts, eliminating the delay caused by waiting for pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a vapor equalization line as an intermediary pathway that facilitates vapor transfer between containers. This intermediary mechanism allows vapor to move through a dedicated channel independent of the liquid flow, resolving the timing conflict between liquid delivery and vapor recovery by providing a separate route for vapor equalization.
2Reliability
If vapor recovery is delayed until pressure is relieved and negative pressure is sufficient to overcome head pressure, then vapor can be suctioned into the portable fuel container, but environmentally harmful vapor is released into the atmosphere during the delay
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor equalization line performs preliminary vapor transfer before liquid delivery completes, ensuring the source container is pressurized or equalized in advance. This prevents the scenario where vapor must wait for pressure relief, thereby preventing harmful vapor release into the atmosphere during the delay period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous vapor recovery action by maintaining an open vapor equalization pathway throughout the liquid delivery process. Instead of intermittent vapor recovery that only occurs after pressure conditions are met, the system continuously transfers vapor from the destination to source container, eliminating gaps where vapor escape occurs.
3Device complexity
If a single spout is used for both liquid delivery and vapor recovery, then the system is simpler, but there is still a significant delay in vapor recovery depending on pressure and liquid volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid transfer system by providing separate pathways for liquid delivery (through the spout) and vapor equalization (through the vapor equalization line). This segmentation allows vapor and liquid to be transferred simultaneously through different routes, eliminating the delay that occurs when a single spout must first complete liquid delivery before vapor recovery can begin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the system by introducing a vapor equalization line that operates in parallel with the liquid delivery pathway. This dimensional addition creates a multi-channel system where vapor and liquid flows are independent, resolving the time delay issue without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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 enables efficient and simultaneous pumping of liquid and vapor, reducing environmental impact by preventing vapor escape and eliminating delays in vapor recovery, while being manually powered and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a pumping mechanism movable to vary the internal volume of each of the liquid and vapor pumping portions
Implementation Method 2
Vapor recovery is accomplished by means of the reduced air pressure in the substantially hollow interior of the portable fuel container, which results from the removal of the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A portable pumping apparatus for concurrently pumping liquid from a source container to a destination container and pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container comprises a liquid and vapor pump having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet. There is a selectively controllable actuation mechanism for actuating 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.