Repair Collar for Leaking Semi-Truck Fuel Fill Pipe Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leaking fuel tanks due to damaged threads on the fill pipe neck of semi-truck fuel tanks require costly and time-consuming replacement of the entire tank, leading to significant economic losses and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A fill pipe repair collar with a cylindrical body featuring a first thread for connecting to a tank cap, a second thread for connecting to the fill pipe neck, and a retaining mechanism to secure it in place, allowing for sealing and re-threading of damaged threads, thereby preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire fuel tank is replaced to repair a leaking fill pipe, then the leakage problem is solved, but the repair cost and downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the repair problem by introducing a separate repair collar component that can be independently installed on the fill pipe neck without replacing the entire fuel tank. This modular approach allows the repair to be performed on just the affected portion (the fill pipe neck with damaged threads) while leaving the rest of the tank intact and operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair collar acts as an intermediary component between the damaged fill pipe neck and the tank cap. It provides new threaded engagement surfaces and sealing surfaces that mediate the connection, allowing the tank cap to be securely reattached without directly engaging the damaged original threads on the fill pipe neck.
2Reliability
If the entire fuel tank is replaced to repair a leaking fill pipe, then the leakage problem is solved, but the repair cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The repair solution is segmented into a separate, standalone collar component rather than requiring replacement of the expensive entire fuel tank assembly. This segmentation allows the repair cost to be limited to just the collar component and installation, significantly reducing the overall repair expense.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair collar is designed as a relatively simple, inexpensive component compared to the entire fuel tank. It serves as a cost-effective sacrificial element that can be installed to extend the life of the tank, providing an economical repair solution rather than requiring expensive tank replacement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tank cap is repeatedly tightened on damaged threads, then the connection is maintained, but the thread damage worsens and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repair collar serves as an intermediary that provides new, undamaged threaded engagement surfaces between the tank cap and the fill pipe neck. This eliminates direct engagement with the damaged original threads, allowing the tank cap to be tightened and retightened without further damaging the underlying fill pipe neck threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair collar concentrates the sealing function at specific locations with new sealing surfaces, while the damaged threads on the original fill pipe neck are bypassed entirely. The local quality of the connection is improved by creating fresh mating surfaces that restore proper thread engagement and sealing capability.
4Ease of operation
If the repair collar is installed without a retaining mechanism, then the installation is simpler, but the collar may become loose under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining mechanism incorporates dynamic elements such as set screws or retaining clips that can be adjusted and tightened to securely hold the repair collar in place. This allows the collar to remain firmly attached despite vibration and operational forces, while the overall installation process remains relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method of use for the repair of a leaking fuel tank fill pipe are provided. The device and method of use are designed to create a durable repair of a leaking tank fill pipe without the cost, time, and difficulty associated with replacing an entire diesel fuel tank on a semi-truck tractor. The device is a collar which threads onto damaged threads on a fill pipe neck and creates a leak-resistant seal with the fill pipe neck. A tank fill cap can then be screwed onto the collar, which forms a leak-resistant seal with the fill cap. The device may have one or more mechanisms to retain the collar on the tank fill pipe neck. The method of use may include re-cutting damaged threads on the fill pipe neck with the collar device.