Combination Valve Assembly for Propane Tank Overfill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propane and gas tank valve assemblies require manual operation to prevent overfilling and excess pressure, posing safety risks for average consumers who may not understand these risks or how to manage them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A combination valve assembly with an overpressure vent valve, fill valve, and overfill seal element, where the fill valve and overfill seal can be actuated simultaneously by a fill adaptor, automatically preventing overfilling and releasing excess pressure without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is required to seal the overfill port and control pressure, then the system can prevent overfilling and excess pressure, but the ease of operation deteriorates because average consumers may not understand how to manage these risks effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The fill adapter automatically performs the function of sealing the overfill port and controlling pressure relief without requiring manual intervention. The adapter's design includes an automatic sealing mechanism that engages with the valve assembly during filling, eliminating the need for consumers to manually operate seals or understand pressure management procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill adapter serves as an intermediary device between the user and the valve assembly's safety features. It mediates the filling process by automatically managing the overfill port sealing and pressure relief operations, shielding the consumer from complex safety mechanisms while ensuring they function correctly.
2Reliability
If manual sealing of the overfill port is required, then the system can prevent overfilling, but the device complexity increases due to the need for manual intervention components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function for the overfill port is merged with the fill adapter itself rather than being a separate manual operation. The adapter integrates the sealing mechanism into its structure, combining multiple functions (filling, sealing, and pressure control) into a single automated device that simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If automatic actuation of fill valve and overfill seal is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to simultaneous actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fill adapter is pre-configured with the sealing mechanism and actuation components in predetermined positions. The simultaneous actuation of the fill valve and overfill seal is achieved through preliminary arrangement of mechanical elements that automatically coordinate their movement when the adapter is engaged, eliminating the need for complex control systems during operation.
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 safe, simple, and automatic filling and venting of propane tanks, preventing overfilling and excess pressure without requiring manual operation, thus enhancing safety and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The overpressure vent valve may be elastically biased toward its pressure holding configuration. The elastic bias is typically adapted to being overcome by a fluid pressure at the second end in excess of a pre-determined safe value.
Implementation Method 2
The fill valve pin is typically spring biased toward its closed position
Implementation Method 3
The overfill seal element is resiliently biased toward its fluid sealing position.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of a combination valve assembly comprises a valve housing, an overpressure vent valve, a fill valve and a movable liquid overfill seal. The valve housing includes a longitudinal axis. The overpressure vent valve relieves excess pressure from the tank to which the assembly is affixed. The fill valve includes a fill valve pin actuatable between an open and closed configuration. The overfill seal is movable between a fluid sealing position and a fluid releasing position, and is elastically biased toward its fluid sealing position. In its fluid sealing position, the overfill seal prevents liquid from escaping the tank through the dip tube and outward of the valve assembly. Actuation of the fill valve pin toward its open position and movement of the overfill seal toward its fluid releasing position are preferably configured to both occur in the same direction, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.