Pressure-Responsive Hatch Lock Prevents Premature Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure vessels often face safety concerns due to premature disengagement of locking mechanisms while still under pressure, which can lead to unsafe opening of hatches during operations like abrasive blasting.
Innovation Solution
An automatic safety lock responsive to internal pressure in pressure vessels, utilizing a pressure-responsive locking member with a cylinder assembly and latch plate, which keeps the hatch closed until the internal pressure drops below a predetermined threshold, preventing premature opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual locking mechanism is used on the hatch, then the hatch can be opened for material addition and inspection, but the lock can be prematurely disengaged while the vessel is still pressurized, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual locking mechanism with a pressure-responsive locking system that uses pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The locking member is automatically engaged or disengaged based on internal pressure levels, eliminating reliance on manual operation and preventing premature opening through automatic pressure-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pressure-responsive locking member that utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic pressure from the vessel's internal pressure to automatically engage or disengage the latch. The locking mechanism responds directly to pressure changes, using the vessel's own pressure system to control the safety lock, ensuring the hatch remains locked during pressurized operations
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is made more secure to prevent premature opening, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the locking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through pressure-responsive actuation. The system automatically engages or disengages the latch based on internal pressure levels without requiring external control systems, complex sensors, or additional actuators. The vessel's own pressure directly controls the locking state, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high safety
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-responsive locking member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a safety device and a pressure indicator, integrates with the existing pressure system without requiring separate control mechanisms, and provides automatic locking and unlocking capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall locking system architecture
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
Ensures the hatch remains securely locked during pressurized conditions, enhancing safety by automatically engaging the locking mechanism when pressure is above a set threshold and disengaging when safe to open, thus preventing accidental unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure-responsive locking member is arranged to automatically extend to retain the first and second half portions in the closed configuration when the pressure inside of the pressure vessel is above a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device for restricting access to a hatch of a pressure vessel, and, more specifically, a locking device that is responsive to the internal pressure in the pressure vessel so as to minimize the ability of one to open the hatch while the vessel is still pressurized. In some embodiments, the locking device comprises first and second portions of the locking device configurable between an open and a closed configuration and a pressure-responsive locking member in fluid communication with an outlet port of the pressure vessel and arranged to automatically retain the first and second portions in the closed configuration when the pressure inside of the pressure vessel is above a predetermined threshold, wherein in the closed configuration the first and second portions restrict manipulation of the hatch and/or a locking mechanism of the hatch.