Shear Valve Breakaway Design for Fuel Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shear valve assemblies in fluid dispensing systems, particularly those used with pressurized fluids, often fail to perform satisfactorily when subjected to displacement or impact, leading to inadequate fuel containment and loss.
Innovation Solution
A shear valve assembly with a valve body having an area of weakness that predisposes it to break, featuring a closure valve retained in an open position by fluid pressure, which shifts to a closed position upon displacement, minimizing fluid loss through a chamber design that enhances sensitivity to force applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shear valve assembly is designed to break away upon displacement, then the fluid supply system can separate to prevent damage, but the closure valve may fail to close properly leading to fuel loss
Solution Approach 1:
The closure valve is pre-configured to be held open by fluid pressure during normal operation. When displacement occurs and the valve body breaks away, the pressure holding the valve open is removed, causing the valve to automatically close and seal the fluid passage, preventing fuel loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fluid pressure (hydraulic principle) to hold the closure valve in the open position during normal operation. Upon breakaway, the pressure is released, allowing the valve to close automatically, utilizing the fluid pressure system itself to control the valve operation.
2Stress or pressure
If existing shear valve assemblies are used with pressurized fluid, then the system can operate under pressure, but the valves do not perform satisfactorily when subjected to displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The closure valve is pre-positioned in the open state during normal pressurized operation. When displacement occurs, the breakaway mechanism releases the pressure holding the valve open, causing it to automatically close, ensuring reliable performance under both normal and displacement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter dynamically - during normal operation, pressure holds the valve open; upon displacement, the pressure is released, causing the valve to close. This parameter change ensures the valve performs reliably under both normal pressurized operation and displacement conditions.
3Strength
If the valve body is designed with an area of weakness for breakaway, then the valve can separate upon displacement, but the sensitivity to detect displacement may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with a localized area of weakness at the breakaway point, while the rest of the valve structure maintains sufficient strength. This local modification creates a sensitive detection point that responds to even slight displacement forces, improving detection sensitivity without compromising overall valve strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the entire valve body to be equally weak, the invention applies partial action by creating a localized weak point. This area of weakness is sufficient to detect and respond to displacement forces, providing the necessary sensitivity while maintaining overall structural integrity during normal operation.
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 shear valve assembly effectively prevents fluid loss by ensuring the closure valve moves to a closed position upon displacement, even with partial or slight impacts, thereby reducing fuel leakage and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The valve body includes a chamber configured to retain fluid therein to thereby maintain the closure valve in an open position
Implementation Method 2
when at least part of the valve body is sufficiently displaced or broken along the area of weakness at least part of the fluid in the chamber escapes the chamber, thereby causing or enabling the closure valve to move to a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A valve including a valve body having an area of weakness along which the valve body is predisposed to break. The valve further includes a closure valve positioned in the valve body, wherein the valve body includes a chamber configured to retain fluid therein to thereby maintain the closure valve in an open position. The valve is configured such when at least part of the valve body is sufficiently displaced or broken along the area of weakness at least part of the fluid in the chamber escapes the chamber, thereby causing or enabling the closure valve to move to a closed position.