Integrated Tank Valve for Overfill Shutoff and Fuel Level Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tank valve systems lack effective mechanisms for combined overfill prevention and fuel level indication, particularly in facilitating the insertion and operation of sensors within fuel storage tanks.
Innovation Solution
A tank valve system incorporating an overfill protection device and a gauge drive apparatus, which includes an overfill float element and a gauge float element, respectively, to prevent overfilling and indicate fuel levels by moving between positions to control fuel flow and display fuel levels through a magnetic communication mechanism with a fuel level indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate overfill prevention and fuel level indication systems are used, then each function can be independently implemented, but the device complexity increases and installation space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines overfill prevention and fuel level indication functions into a single integrated valve system. The overfill float element and gauge float element are housed together in the same valve body, sharing common components such as the bonnet, seal, and tank opening. This merging eliminates the need for separate overfill prevention devices and level gauges, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions: it houses both the overfill prevention mechanism and the fuel level indication mechanism, provides sealing against the tank opening, and controls fuel flow. The single valve assembly performs what would traditionally require multiple separate components, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable operation of both overfill prevention and level indication.
2Reliability
If traditional separate mechanisms are used for overfill prevention and fuel level indication, then installation requires multiple components, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both overfill prevention and fuel level indication into a single valve assembly, the installation process requires only one component to be installed in the tank opening rather than multiple separate components. This merging significantly reduces installation time and complexity while ensuring both functions are reliably implemented through the shared valve body and seal system.
3Measurement precision
If float elements are made buoyant for effective level detection, then accurate fuel level indication is achieved, but the float elements require sufficient space to move freely within the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests both the overfill float element and gauge float element within the confined valve body structure. The floats move vertically within the bonnet cavity rather than requiring extensive space within the tank. This nesting approach allows the buoyant float elements to achieve accurate level detection while containing their movement within a compact volume, eliminating the need for large clearance spaces in the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The float movement is constrained to a vertical dimension within the valve body rather than requiring horizontal space within the tank. By changing the spatial dimension of float operation from tank-based to valve-body-based, the system achieves precise level measurement without consuming valuable tank volume or requiring large float movement spaces.
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 system effectively prevents overfilling and provides progressive fuel level indication, ensuring safe fuel storage and dispensing by automatically shutting off fuel flow when the tank reaches maximum capacity and accurately displaying fuel levels.
Implementation Method 1
an overfill float element and a gauge float element, respectively, to prevent overfilling and indicate fuel levels by moving between positions
Implementation Method 2
indicate fuel levels by moving between positions to control fuel flow and display fuel levels through a magnetic communication mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A tank valve system comprises a main valve body, an overfill protection device (OPD), a gauge drive apparatus and a fuel level indicator. The OPD and gauge drive apparatus are configured to both be inserted through a narrow neck of a fuel storage tank prior to connecting the valve body to the neck. The valve body includes a primary fuel channel and a shuttle interface channel. The OPD includes an overfill float driving an overfill shutoff valve for controlling fluid flow from the primary channel into the tank. The gauge drive apparatus includes a gauge float, a shuttle, and an elongated extension body. The gauge float is movable with respect to the extension body between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, thereby driving the shuttle. The shuttle has a gauge actuation portion transportable within the shuttle interface channel to thereby actuate the fuel level indicator.