Vessel Closure Fail-Safe Fuse and Lock-Hole Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline and vessel closures lack reliable failsafe mechanisms to prevent damage from excessive force or blockage, and may not ensure proper sealing or pressure warning lock functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mechanical fuse with a predetermined load failure force and a pressure warning lock block that only allows full closure when the closure is properly sealed, preventing excessive force from damaging other components and ensuring the pressure warning lock is exposed only when fully closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical fuse with predetermined load failure force is incorporated into the holding means, then the closure is protected from excessive force damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fuse is pre-configured with a predetermined load failure force that is lower than the failure force of other holding means components. This preliminary design ensures that the fuse will fail first under excessive load conditions, protecting other components before any actual damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fuse is designed as a sacrificial component intended to fail under excessive force conditions. It is a replaceable element that protects more expensive and critical components of the closure system, embodying the principle of using a cheap, disposable component to protect valuable ones.
2Reliability
If a block is added to overlap the pressure warning lock hole when not fully closed, then proper sealing is ensured, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The block is integrated into the closure door structure and automatically moves into position to overlap the pressure warning lock hole when the door is not fully closed. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for additional controls or manual intervention, making the system self-regulating while ensuring proper sealing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The block's position is directly coupled to the door position through the closure mechanism. When the door reaches the fully closed position, the block automatically clears the pressure warning lock hole, creating a natural alignment between door position and lock hole accessibility without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block[40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].