Self-Actuating Vent Cover with Flexible Flap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weather protective covers for vent conduits require manual replacement after a vent discharge event and can restrict fluid venting, posing challenges in accessibility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A self-actuating environmental protective cover that automatically opens during pressurized fluid discharge and closes when the event ends, featuring a flexible body with a flap slot that expands to allow fluid discharge and returns to a sealed position, optionally incorporating audible and visual leak indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a removable protective weather cover is used on a vent conduit, then protection against foreign matter is improved, but manual replacement is required after vent discharge events causing loss of time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to automatically open during vent discharge events and automatically return to its closed protective position after discharge, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The self-actuating mechanism uses the discharge pressure itself to open the cover and spring force to close it, making the system self-servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static protective barrier to a dynamic system that automatically adapts its state based on discharge events. The flexible membrane and spring mechanism enable the cover to dynamically open during discharge and close during normal operation, optimizing both protection and functionality.
2Reliability
If a tethered protective weather cover is used to prevent blow-off, then cover retention is improved, but the cover restricts fluid venting during discharge events
Solution Approach 1:
The cover employs a dynamic design where the flexible membrane and spring mechanism allow the cover to automatically open during discharge events, enabling full fluid venting capability. The spring force holds the cover closed during normal operation for retention, but discharge pressure overcomes this force to open the cover completely when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover's state changes based on pressure parameters. During normal operation, spring force maintains the cover in a closed state for retention. During discharge events, increased pressure parameter causes the cover to transition to an open state, allowing unrestricted fluid venting.
3Strength
If access barriers are present at vent discharge locations, then structural integrity is improved, but operator accessibility deteriorates making cover replacement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for operator access to difficult-to-reach locations by making the cover self-actuating. The automatic open/close mechanism removes the requirement for manual handling and installation, thereby eliminating the accessibility problem entirely while maintaining structural integrity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed closed cover is used, then protection is maintained, but fluid discharge is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a static protective barrier to a dynamic system that automatically adapts its state based on discharge events. The flexible membrane and spring mechanism enable the cover to dynamically open during discharge and close during normal operation, optimizing both protection and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover provides continuous protection during normal operation by remaining closed, and continuously allows fluid discharge during vent events by opening automatically. The spring-membrane mechanism ensures the cover is always ready to transition between states, maintaining continuous useful action whether protecting or discharging.
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 cover ensures continuous protection without manual intervention, allows unobstructed fluid venting during discharge, and provides alerts for leaks, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible body portion adapted to cover a distal end of a vent conduit... when pressurized fluid discharging from the vent conduit is sufficient to flex the body portion and increase the slot opening
Implementation Method 2
when pressurized fluid discharging from the vent conduit is sufficient to flex the body portion... The body portion and the flap return to the closed mode when the pressurized fluid has been released
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental (weather) protective cover for a vent conduit. In accordance with some embodiments, a flexible body portion is adapted to cover a distal end of a vent conduit coupled to an upstream pressure source. A flap supported by the body portion has a flap slot opening. The body portion and the flap have a closed mode in which the vent conduit is sealed and an open mode in which the body portion and the flap slot opening are expanded when pressurized fluid discharging from the vent conduit is sufficient to flex the body portion and increase the slot opening to discharge the pressurized fluid. The body portion and the flap return to the closed mode when the pressurized fluid has been released.