Vessel Closure Fail-Safe Detection with Mechanical Fuse Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline and vessel closure systems lack effective failsafe mechanisms to prevent damage from excessive force or blockage, and may not ensure proper sealing or pressure warning lock engagement in all operational states.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a mechanical fuse with a predetermined load failure force and a pressure warning lock block that only allows engagement when the closure is fully closed, ensuring the closure can fail safely and the pressure warning lock is only activated when the closure is properly sealed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical fuse with predetermined load failure force is incorporated into the closure system, then damage from excessive force is prevented, but 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 critical components. This preliminary action ensures that if excessive force is applied, the fuse will fail first, preventing damage to the holding means and other critical components. The fuse acts as a sacrificial element that has already been designed and positioned to fail at a specific load threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fuse is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that is intended to fail and be replaced. It is made from inexpensive materials and has a simple structure compared to the holding means and other critical components. When the fuse fails due to excessive force, it is discarded and replaced, avoiding the need to replace more expensive components.
2Reliability
If a pressure warning lock block is added to ensure proper sealing detection, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure warning lock block is designed to automatically detect and indicate whether the closure is properly sealed. The block itself performs the detection function without requiring external assistance or complex instrumentation. When the closure is properly sealed, the block automatically aligns with or exposes the pressure warning lock hole, providing a clear visual indication that the sealing is correct.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure warning lock block provides a visual indication through the exposure or blocking of the pressure warning lock hole. This visual change (from blocked to exposed, or potentially through color-coded indicators) allows operators to quickly determine whether the closure is properly sealed without requiring complex measurement or interpretation.
3Strength
If the mechanical fuse is positioned to fail before other components, then component protection is improved, but detection precision of failure location worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fuse is extracted as a separate, distinct component from the holding means and other critical components. This separation allows the fuse to be independently positioned and designed to fail first, while the holding means remains protected. The fuse is taken out as a dedicated protective element rather than being integrated into the main structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fuse acts as an intermediary element between the external loading forces and the critical components of the closure system. It mediates the force transmission by failing first, thereby protecting the holding means and other important components from excessive forces. The fuse serves as a buffer or sacrificial intermediary that absorbs the impact of overload conditions.
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
The mechanical fuse and pressure warning lock block combination prevents damage from excessive force and ensures the pressure warning lock is only engaged when the closure is fully closed, enhancing safety and reliability by allowing for visible detection of failures and ensuring proper sealing.
Implementation Method 1
the shear pin having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of another component of the closure
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
Figure 3
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].