Resilient Underground Fuel Tank Indicator Flag

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signaling devices for underground fuel tanks lack effective methods to mark the location of filler ports and convey fuel attributes while withstanding vehicle traffic without damage.

Innovation Solution

A resilient underground fuel tank indicator flag system comprising a stanchion and flag that flexes to a horizontal orientation when driven over and self-restores to a vertical position, utilizing color-coded flags to indicate fuel type or octane rating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid signaling device is used to mark filler port location, then the device provides stable visibility and structural integrity, but the device suffers damage when driven over by vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddamage from vehicle traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stanchion is constructed from resilient material that allows it to flex horizontally when driven over by vehicles, preventing structural damage while maintaining visibility of the flag indicator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The stanchion transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient structure that can change its orientation (vertical to horizontal) in response to vehicle traffic, then automatically return to its original position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a resilient stanchion is used to withstand vehicle traffic, then the device prevents damage from being driven over, but the device may not maintain stable visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to vehicle trafficVSAvoidvisibility stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stanchion exhibits periodic motion by returning to its vertical position after being driven over, automatically restoring visibility without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient material provides self-restoring capability through its inherent elastic properties, allowing the stanchion to automatically return to vertical orientation after deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If existing signaling devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device lacks effective methods to convey fuel attributes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidfuel attribute indication

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The flag utilizes different colors to indicate various fuel attributes such as fuel type, octane rating, or fuel blend, providing effective information conveyance while maintaining simple device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

Effectively marks the location of underground fuel tank filler ports and conveys fuel attributes, ensuring visibility and preventing damage from vehicle traffic while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The underground fuel tank indicator flag may be resilient such that a vehicle could drive over the stanchion and the stanchion will restore itself to a vertical orientation when the vehicle is moved off of the underground fuel tank indicator flag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11280052B1Underground fuel tank indicator flag

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 JENSRUD TROY

AI summary

The underground fuel tank indicator flag may comprise a stanchion and a flag. The underground fuel tank indicator flag may mark the location of a filler port where a tanker truck would couple to an underground fuel tank to add fuel to the underground fuel tank. The underground fuel tank indicator flag may convey at least one attribute of the fuel in the underground fuel tank. As non-limiting examples, the attribute may indicate the fuel type, an octane rating, or a fuel blend. The underground fuel tank indicator flag may be resilient such that a vehicle could drive over the stanchion and the stanchion will restore itself to a vertical orientation when the vehicle is moved off of the underground fuel tank indicator flag. In some embodiments, the underground fuel tank indicator flag may utilize multiple colors on the flag and/or a second flag.