Testable Overfill Prevention Valve With Internal Testing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overfill prevention valves for liquid storage tanks lack effective testing mechanisms to ensure operability, leading to potential overfilling and ecological contamination.
Innovation Solution
A testable overfill prevention valve with a spring-biased testing member that moves within the valve's housing, using actuators to contact and move the flow control member, allowing verification of operability without extending beyond the closure member, thus preventing fuel leakage during testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a testing mechanism is added to verify valve operability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing member is nested within the valve housing, with the test actuator positioned inside the housing rather than extending outward. This nesting approach allows the testing functionality to be integrated into the existing valve structure without adding external components, thereby verifying valve operability while minimizing increases to device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control member serves dual functions: it controls fuel flow during normal operation and acts as a test indicator during testing. When the test actuator moves the flow control member from the open position toward the closed position, it creates a visible intermediate position that confirms the testing mechanism is functioning. This multi-functionality allows reliability verification without requiring separate dedicated testing components.
2Ease of operation
If the testing member extends beyond the closure member to allow testing, then ease of operation is improved, but fuel leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing member is completely contained within the valve housing, with no portion extending below the closure member. The test actuator is positioned inside the housing and acts on the flow control member through internal mechanical linkage. This nesting ensures that the testing operation can be performed without creating openings or extensions that would compromise the sealing integrity of the valve, thereby preventing fuel leakage while maintaining testing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control member acts as an intermediary between the test actuator and the valve outlet. When the test actuator moves the flow control member to an intermediate position, it creates a controlled state that allows testing without fully opening the valve to the outlet. This intermediary mechanism enables testing while maintaining the sealing relationship between the closure member and the outlet, preventing fuel leakage.
3Measurement precision
If the flow control member is moved to test operability, then measurement precision is improved, but fuel loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing operation is nested within the sealed housing, with the test actuator and flow control member positioned internally. This containment allows the flow control member to be moved to an intermediate position for testing purposes without creating a direct path to the external environment. The housing seals prevent fuel from escaping during the testing movement, thereby enabling precise verification of valve function while minimizing fuel loss.
Solution Approach 2:
During testing, the flow control member is moved only partially from the open position toward the closed position, rather than being fully actuated. This partial action creates an intermediate position that is sufficient to verify the testing mechanism's operability and the flow control member's responsiveness, while minimizing the volume of fuel that could potentially escape. The testing requires only enough movement to demonstrate functionality, not the full range of motion.
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
Ensures the valve's operability can be tested without fuel leakage, confirming proper function and preventing overfilling, thereby reducing ecological contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is connected to the testing member for biasing the testing member to a non-testing position
Implementation Method 2
A float is operably associated with the moveable closure member. The float is configured to allow the moveable closure member to move from the first position to the second position when liquid in the liquid storage tank has reached a predetermined level
Data Source
AI summary
A testable overfill prevention valve ("TOPV") for a liquid storage container. The TOPV allows an individual to readily verify the operability of the TOPV. Preferably, a test member of directly contacts a portion of a latch to release a flow control member so that the flow control member can move from an open position to a closed position wherein in the closed position liquid is generally prevented from flowing out the TOPV. The test member preferably directly contacts the flow control member to move the control member to an intermediate position between open and closed positions allowing an individual looking down into the TOPV to see that the flow control member has moved sufficiently to confirm operability of the TOPV. Preferably, the test member is spring biased to a non-testing position and the entire test member is disposed in the housing of the TOPV when in a testing position.