Removable Steam Jacket for Tank Car Bottom Outlet Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottom outlet valves (BOVs) on railroad tank cars require the entire tank car to be taken out of service for repairs due to steam jacket wear and fatigue cracks, disrupting service.
Innovation Solution
A removable independent steam jacket for BOVs that can be easily installed over existing valves using existing mechanical fasteners, allowing for in-field installation and maintenance without taking the tank car out of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an integral steam jacket is used around the BOV, then the payload flows easier through the BOV, but the entire tank car must be taken out of service for repairs when the steam jacket develops fatigue cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The steam jacket is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the tank car without removing the entire vehicle. This segmentation allows the steam jacket to be replaced independently, resolving the contradiction by maintaining payload flow capability while minimizing tank car downtime through component-level rather than system-level repairs
Solution Approach 2:
The steam jacket transitions from a fixed integral structure to a dynamic removable structure. The removable design with mounting brackets and fasteners allows the steam jacket to be easily installed and removed, enabling quick replacement in the field and reducing the time the tank car must be taken out of service while maintaining the heating function for payload flow
2Loss of time
If the steam jacket is made removable and independent, then the tank car can remain in service during maintenance, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The steam jacket is divided into manageable components including the main jacket body, mounting brackets, and fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly and disassembly procedures, reducing installation complexity while enabling removable independent maintenance that minimizes tank car downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets are designed to interface with existing mechanical fasteners on the tank car, making the removable steam jacket compatible with standard installation procedures. This universal interface approach simplifies the installation process by reusing existing hardware and mounting locations, reducing the complexity of the overall installation while maintaining the benefit of removable independent maintenance
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 continuous operation of tank cars by allowing for quick and efficient installation of the steam jacket, reducing downtime and maintenance costs through field-based repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The steam jacket is used to heat the payload near the BOV lowering its viscosity, allowing it to flow easier through the BOV
Data Source
AI summary
A removable independent steam jacket for a bottom outlet valve of a railroad tank car able to connect to an existing bottom outlet valve, with or without an integral steam jacket, in a field environment without having to take the tank car in for repairs having a partially annular hollow base with a rectangular cross-section and a plurality of pipes connected to the base extending away from the bottom of the base. The removable steam jacket also has a plurality of mounting brackets connected to the bottom the base for installing and removing it from the bottom outlet valve.