Valve Pressure Assembly for Thief Hatch Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thief hatch seal assemblies in storage tanks require maintenance and replacement, leading to potential exposure to hazardous vapors and fluids during maintenance, as the actuating mechanism is typically de-pressurized when the cap is opened, making it difficult to assess gasket failure and resulting in unnecessary replacement of both inner and outer gaskets.

Innovation Solution

A valve pressure assembly that includes a pressure bar, connector, and clamp system to maintain the actuating mechanism in a pressurized state, allowing for visual and physical access to gaskets while the cap is open, thereby preventing vapor or fluid discharge and enabling safer and more efficient inspection and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cap is opened for maintenance inspection, then access to inner gasket and outer gasket is provided, but the actuating mechanism pressure is released causing vapor/fluid discharge and worker exposure to hazardous substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to gaskets for maintenanceVSAvoidworker exposure to hazardous vapors and fluids

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure maintenance device is introduced as an intermediary between the thief hatch actuating mechanism and the external environment. This device includes a pressure bar with a connector that couples to the actuating mechanism and a clamp that secures it, allowing the cap to be opened while maintaining internal pressure and preventing hazardous substance discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure maintenance device is installed before opening the cap for maintenance. The connector is coupled to the actuating mechanism and the clamp is secured to the pressure bar in advance, ensuring that pressure is maintained from the moment the cap is opened, preventing any discharge of hazardous substances during the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the cap is opened for maintenance, then visual and physical access to gaskets is provided, but it becomes difficult to determine if inner gasket has failed due to pressure release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual and physical access to gasketsVSAvoidinability to detect gasket failure signs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure maintenance device serves as an intermediary that allows full visual and physical access to the gaskets while preserving the pressure differential needed to detect failures. The device maintains pressure on the actuating mechanism, causing visible deformation or displacement at the gasket interface when failures occur, making detection easy during inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If both inner gasket and outer gasket are replaced in abundance of caution, then safety and reliability are improved, but maintenance time, effort, and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and reliability of seal assemblyVSAvoidmaintenance time and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure maintenance device enables real-time feedback detection of gasket condition during inspection. By maintaining pressure, the system provides visible indicators of gasket failure such as deformation or displacement. This feedback mechanism allows workers to accurately assess whether replacement is actually needed, avoiding unnecessary replacements and reducing maintenance time and costs while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the actuating mechanism is de-pressurized during cap opening, then cap rotation to open position is enabled, but unnecessary replacement of gaskets is required due to inability to assess condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap rotation to open positionVSAvoidunnecessary gasket replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure maintenance device acts as an intermediary that decouples the cap opening operation from pressure release. The device allows the cap to rotate to the open position while maintaining pressure on the actuating mechanism through the connector and clamp assembly. This eliminates the need for de-pressurization, enabling accurate gasket assessment and preventing unnecessary replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9739390B2Valve pressure assembly and methods of operating the same

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 BONANZA CREEK ENERGY OPERATING CO LLC

AI summary

A valve pressure assembly for pressurizing an actuating mechanism of a thief hatch is provided. The valve pressure assembly includes a pressure bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end; a connector coupled to the body and configured to removably couple to the actuating mechanism; and a clamp coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end, the clamp comprising a fastener removably coupled to the relief valve, wherein the fastener is configured to adjustably move the pressure bar and the connector in contact with the actuating mechanism to facilitate pressuring the actuating mechanism to remain in an operative position.