Threaded Tank Access for Pumping Fluids From Sunken Ships
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to provide effective access to fluid tanks on sunken ships for pumping out liquid cargo like crude oil, as they rely on normal connections which may not be usable in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A drill-based access device with a thread-forming unit and a hollow body equipped with a valve and external thread, allowing access and pumping of tank contents through a drilled hole with a thread-cutting mechanism and sealing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If normal connections (inlets/outlets) are used for accessing fluid tanks, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability is limited because these connections may not be usable in emergency situations like sunken ships
Solution Approach 1:
The access device is divided into separate functional modules: a drilling unit with diamond drill, a thread-forming unit with thread-forming wheels, and a hollow body with valve. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while being assembled into a complete access system that can operate on sunken ships where normal connections are unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device combines multiple functions in one system: drilling through the tank wall, forming threads in the hole, sealing the connection, and controlling fluid flow. This multi-functional design enables the device to access fluid tanks in emergency situations where normal inlets and outlets are inaccessible, providing universal applicability across different emergency scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a drill is used to create access holes in tank walls, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision is challenged due to the difficulty of drilling and threading in emergency conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The drill is equipped with diamond segments that are pre-attached to the drill bit, and the thread-forming unit has pre-configured thread-forming wheels. These preliminary preparations ensure that when the drill engages the tank wall, the threading action occurs immediately and precisely without requiring separate operations, maintaining manufacturing precision in emergency conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The diamond segments act as an intermediary between the drill and the tank wall, enabling effective drilling through hard materials. The thread-forming wheels serve as intermediaries that create precise threads in the drilled hole, ensuring accurate engagement of the hollow body without requiring complex machining operations in the field.
3Ease of manufacture
If thread-forming wheels are used to cut threads in the tank wall, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the force required increases compared to traditional drilling methods
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is powered by a hydraulic drill or hydraulic drill rod, which provides the necessary force for both drilling and thread-forming operations. The hydraulic system delivers high force when needed for breaking through the tank wall and maintains controlled force during the thread-forming process, making the operation feasible in emergency rescue scenarios.
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 independent access and pumping of fluid from tank walls, ensuring environmental safety by allowing the removal of pollutants like crude oil without relying on standard inlets or outlets, facilitating efficient cleanup of sunken ships.
Implementation Method 1
The drill is a diamond drill, which in particular has a tube provided with diamond segments. The cylindrical tube surrounds a cavity and has diamond segments on the end face of its wall.
Implementation Method 2
the thread forming unit is a thread rolling or thread cutting unit, and the thread forming wheels are thread rolling or thread cutting wheels. While thread cutting is a machining process for producing the thread, thread rolling is a forming process.
Implementation Method 3
thread rolling is a forming process. The latter can be operated with lower forces than the former.
Implementation Method 4
By screwing the hollow body into the housing wall of the tank up to the seal and finally compressing the seal, a reliable seal is created between the bore in the tank and thus between the interior of the tank and the exterior.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an access device for a fluid tank, in particular a ship's. Its objective is to enable the removal of liquid such as fuel or liquid cargo from a tank. This objective is achieved in a device according to the invention by a drill, a thread-cutting unit, a hollow body provided with a valve and an external thread, and a connecting plate.