Gravity-Fed Electrolyte Loading Valve for Submarine Battery Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submarine craft electrochemical batteries face challenges in loading dry powdered electrolyte during assembly, necessitating a method to introduce this electrolyte into the main chamber after initial assembly, especially in underwater environments.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a manually operated valve and feeder-actuator assembly allows for the introduction of dry powdered electrolyte into the tubular casing of a submarine craft, featuring a shutter mechanism and gravity-fed electrolyte tank, ensuring a fluid-tight and controlled loading process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dry powdered electrolyte is loaded during the assembly of parts that delimit the main chamber, then the initial assembly is straightforward, but the craft lacks operational flexibility for later electrolyte loading
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system is segmented into separate functional components: a valve assembly integrated into the casing, a feeder-actuator assembly for controlled material delivery, and a removable electrolyte tank. This segmentation allows the loading function to be added without complicating the main chamber assembly, as each component can be independently manufactured and installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is pre-integrated into the casing during initial assembly, but the electrolyte tank and feeder-actuator assembly are prepared separately and can be coupled later. This preliminary preparation of the valve structure enables operational flexibility without requiring the entire loading system to be assembled upfront, thus avoiding increased initial assembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve system is added to enable later electrolyte loading, then operational flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder-actuator assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a valve actuator, a material feeder, and a seal interface. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, as one assembly performs what would otherwise require multiple distinct parts, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism is nested within the valve body, and the feeder-actuator assembly is designed to couple with the valve in a compact arrangement. The electrolyte tank connects to the feeder-actuator assembly, creating a nested configuration where components are integrated within each other's spatial envelopes, minimizing the overall space and component count.
3Reliability
If a manually operated valve with shutter mechanism is used, then controlled electrolyte introduction is achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is designed to be actuated by the feeder-actuator assembly through a simple manual input. The actuator assembly automatically coordinates the shutter opening, electrolyte flow control, and sealing actions in response to a single manual operation, reducing the operational complexity for the user while maintaining reliable controlled introduction.
4Reliability
If the valve is kept normally closed, then the underwater environment remains sealed, but the ease of loading electrolyte is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-configured in a normally closed state to maintain the sealed underwater environment during initial assembly and operation. The feeder-actuator assembly and electrolyte tank are prepared in advance as a coupled unit, enabling convenient electrolyte loading when needed without requiring complex real-time operations, thus balancing sealing reliability with loading ease.
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
Enables convenient and efficient loading of dry powdered electrolyte into the craft's chamber, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing the complexity of initial assembly procedures while maintaining a sealed underwater environment.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte tank configured to couple with the feeder-actuator assembly and feed powdered electrolyte by gravity to the actuator assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for loading a powdered electrolyte into a chamber made in a tubular casing of a craft operating in an underwater environment, comprising: a valve carried by the tubular casing, configured to be arranged in a normally closed position and designed to be moved, as a result of manual operation, to an open position to allow the introduction of the powdered electrolyte into the chamber from outside the casing; a feeder-actuator assembly configured to be mounted on the tubular casing to couple with the valve in a fluid-tight manner and enable the opening/closing of the valve; and an electrolyte tank configured to couple with the feeder-actuator assembly and feed powdered electrolyte by gravity to the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly delimits an elongated internal cavity configured to allow a flow of powdered electrolyte from the tank to the chamber through the valve.