Removable Tank Hatch Cover With Pressure-Regulating Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank portal covers fail during repair or maintenance, leading to unintended escape of hydrocarbon fluids and unregulated tank pressure, posing environmental, financial, and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A hatch cover with a valve assembly comprising exhaust and suction valves that regulate tank pressure by sealing and venting, and a locking mechanism for secure closure, using spring-loaded plates and bolts to maintain pressure balance during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the regular cover is removed for repair/maintenance, then access to the tank portal is improved, but the tank portal becomes open allowing hydrocarbon gas to escape
Solution Approach 1:
A temporary cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the open portal and the environment. This temporary cover includes a valve assembly with exhaust and suction valves that mediates the interaction between the tank interior and exterior, allowing controlled pressure regulation while preventing uncontrolled hydrocarbon gas escape during the repair process.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is extracted as a separate functional component from the main cover structure. The valve assembly includes exhaust and suction valves that can be independently configured to regulate pressure, allowing the temporary cover to perform pressure control functions without requiring the original cover to be permanently installed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the temporary cover seals the tank portal, then hydrocarbon gas escape is prevented, but tank pressure becomes unregulated
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to self-regulate tank pressure through its exhaust and suction valves. The system automatically responds to pressure changes without external intervention, opening exhaust valves when pressure is too high and suction valves when pressure is too low, thereby maintaining reliable pressure regulation while preventing hydrocarbon gas escape.
3Reliability
If the valve assembly provides pressure regulation, then tank pressure is controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust valve assembly and suction valve assembly are merged into a single integrated valve assembly structure. Both valve types share common components including the temporary cover housing, mounting mechanisms, and control systems, thereby achieving reliable dual-directional pressure regulation while minimizing the overall device complexity that would result from separate valve systems.
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 solution effectively seals the tank portal during maintenance, preventing fluid escape and regulating pressure, ensuring safety and environmental protection.
Implementation Method 1
The exhaust-valve spring loader is anchored to the tank (e.g., through the engagement of hatch cover with the hatch base), and the spring is positioned between the plate and the spring loader so as to provide a pushing force between the plate and spring loader
Implementation Method 2
The suction-valve spring loader is anchored to the tank (e.g., through the engagement of hatch cover with the hatch base), and the spring is positioned relative to the plate and spring loader so as to provide a pulling force between the plate and spring loader
Implementation Method 3
The exhaust-valve plate and the suction-valve plate nest together providing a surface interface that forms a seal. One or both plates also have surface interface with the housing of the cover to form a seal.
Data Source
AI summary
A hatch cover includes spring-loaded exhaust and suction valves to regulate internal tank pressure with respect to outside pressure. The valves are disposed in a ring housing. The cover further includes a spring-loaded locking bolt configured to engage the hatch base and thereby provide a retaining force between the housing and the hatch base. The exhaust-valve springs may be selectively preloaded to establish a target exhaust pressure. The locking-bolt spring may be selectively disengaged or overcome to release engagement of the bolt from the hatch base.