Rotatable Anti-Siphoning Duct with Ogive Flow Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-siphoning devices for fuel tanks face issues with optimal fuel dispensing due to incorrect nozzle positioning, inefficient flow, and susceptibility to theft, especially when the tank is full, as they rely on mechanical obstructions that hinder refueling and can be easily bypassed.
Innovation Solution
An anti-siphoning device with a rotatable duct and ogive design that maintains axial alignment of the dispensing duct, coupled with a T-shaped ring system and a spring mechanism to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring optimal fuel flow and protection against theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical obstruction (perforated metallic net or baffles) is arranged at the bottom of the anti-siphoning device to prevent fuel extraction, then fuel theft prevention is improved, but the device becomes completely submerged when the tank is full, allowing easy access to fuel between the liquid surface and the bottom of the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-siphoning device employs a flexible membrane that dynamically adjusts its position based on fuel level. When the tank is full, the membrane rises with the fuel surface, maintaining the obstruction at the optimal location just below the fuel-air interface, preventing complete submersion and ensuring continuous protection against siphoning attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state and position of the obstruction element based on fuel level parameters. The flexible membrane transitions from a submerged state to a surface-following state, altering its vertical position and maintaining effectiveness across different fuel levels, particularly preventing access when the tank is full.
2Reliability
If the dispensing duct is positioned at right angles to the inlet to prevent splashing and backing-up, then fuel dispensing reliability is improved, but the nozzle cannot be correctly positioned when the distance between the loading surface and inlet is lower than the nozzle height
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing duct is designed with rotational freedom, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. The duct can rotate to achieve the optimal right-angle positioning relative to the inlet when space permits, while also adapting to various mounting heights and spatial constraints, ensuring reliable fuel dispensing across different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational freedom in a third dimension, allowing the dispensing duct to achieve proper alignment not just through fixed positioning but through rotation. This enables the system to maintain optimal fuel flow geometry regardless of the vertical distance between the loading surface and inlet.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a perforated metallic net or cobweb of baffles is used to obstruct tube access to the tank, then anti-siphoning capability is improved, but fuel refueling time increases due to chaotic flow deviation and the need to choke the fuel flow
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a flexible membrane instead of rigid metallic nets or baffles. This thin film creates a smooth, controlled obstruction that prevents tube access while allowing fuel to flow through in an organized manner, avoiding the chaotic flow patterns caused by rigid structures and eliminating the need to choke the fuel flow during refueling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical obstruction system (rigid nets and baffles) with a flexible membrane system that responds to fuel pressure and level. This substitution maintains the anti-siphoning function while allowing smoother fuel flow during legitimate refueling operations, improving refueling productivity.
4Reliability
If the anti-siphoning device is connected to the tank mouth using metallic elements to be deformed or perforation and riveting, then secure attachment is improved, but the installation requires special equipment and longer operations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system utilizes elastic deformation parameters of metallic elements, allowing them to be compressed and then spring back to secure the device. This eliminates the need for perforation, riveting, or specialized installation equipment, making the attachment process simple and tool-free while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metallic elements perform self-service by automatically securing the anti-siphoning device through their own elastic properties. The elements deform during installation and then self-lock in place, eliminating the need for external fastening operations or special equipment, thereby simplifying the installation process.
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
The device enables rapid and optimal fuel dispensing while preventing fuel extraction, even when the tank is full, by ensuring correct nozzle alignment and using a spring mechanism to block unauthorized access, thus reducing theft and refueling time.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism to prevent unauthorized access
Implementation Method 2
an ogive which is adapted to guide and direct the flow of the fuel according to a fluid stream
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-siphoning device, particularly for preventing the extraction of fuel from tanks, the anti-siphoning device includes a ring provided with an axial tube and with which an additional ring is associable which is coupled to the tank. The device further includes the first end of a duct which protrudes within the tank associated rotatably with the axial tube and is provided, axially and at the second end, with an ogive which is adapted to guide and direct the flow of the fuel according to a fluid stream. Elements are further provided for spacing apart the ogive from the inner lateral surface of the duct.