Valve Lockout Device with Viewing Port

Solution Overview

Problem

Current lockout devices for valves are opaque, making it impossible for users to verify the valve configuration without removing the lockout device, leading to potential tampering, human error, and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A valve lockout device with a viewport integrated into the handle cover, allowing users to visually confirm the valve's open or closed position without disengaging the lockout device, featuring a bifurcated design with a transparent viewport and color-coded edges for fluid hazard indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lockout device is made opaque to prevent tampering, then security is improved, but the ability to verify valve configuration is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidvalve configuration visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The lockout device is segmented into opaque and transparent portions. The handle cover is opaque to prevent tampering, while the viewport is transparent to allow visual verification of valve configuration. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different transparency properties to different functional areas of the same device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the lockout device have different optical properties. The viewport specifically is made transparent while the rest of the handle cover remains opaque. This local quality change allows the device to simultaneously provide security through opacity and information visibility through transparency at the appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the lockout device is removed to check valve positioning, then accurate verification is possible, but safety risks and potential damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position verification accuracyVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent viewport acts as an intermediary that allows visual access to the valve configuration without requiring physical removal of the lockout device. Users can observe the valve position through the viewport while the device remains in place, eliminating the need to remove the device for verification and thereby maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical action of removing the lockout device to check valve position is replaced by optical observation through the transparent viewport. Instead of physically accessing the valve, users can visually verify its configuration through the viewport, substituting a mechanical intervention with a non-invasive optical method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If the lockout device is transparent to allow viewing, then valve configuration is visible, but tampering prevention is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve configuration visibilityVSAvoidtampering prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lockout device is segmented into opaque and transparent portions. The handle cover is opaque to prevent tampering, while the viewport is transparent to allow visual verification of valve configuration. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different transparency properties to different functional areas of the same device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the lockout device have different optical properties. The viewport specifically is made transparent while the rest of the handle cover remains opaque. This local quality change allows the device to simultaneously provide security through opacity and information visibility through transparency at the appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10145492B2Valve lockout device with viewing port and method

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 SURELOCK LLC

AI summary

A valve lockout device with viewing port is disclosed herein. The valve lockout device with viewing port includes a first clamshell member, a second clamshell member, and a hinge pivotably connecting the first clamshell member and second clamshell member. The valve lockout device with viewing port is useful for observing the operational state of a valve when it is locked out for maintenance tasks.