Volatile Liquid Refueling Apparatus with Double Locking Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refueling systems for volatile fuels like gasoline-powered chain saws pose safety hazards due to the release of flammable vapors during refueling, especially in dangerous environments like firefighting, and fail to manage pressure buildup in fuel tanks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A volatile liquids refueling apparatus with a vapor-tight enclosure that uses a fluid exchange principle, incorporating a probe and receiver with springs for secure attachment and automatic disengagement, allowing safe and rapid refueling without exposing vapors to the atmosphere, and featuring a lockable design for added safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional refueling methods are used with open caps, then refueling can be performed without specialized equipment, but volatile fuel vapors are released into the atmosphere creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a receiver as an intermediary component between the fuel source and the fuel tank. This receiver contains a spill cup that captures any overflow fuel and prevents it from entering the fuel tank or being released into the environment. The receiver acts as a controlled interface that maintains vapor containment while enabling straightforward refueling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vapor-tight enclosed environment during refueling operations. By sealing the refueling interface and preventing contact between fuel vapors and the atmosphere, the system effectively creates an inert atmospheric barrier that eliminates the fire hazard associated with vapor release while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fuel tank is sealed to prevent vapor release, then safety is improved, but pressure buildup from heat cannot be vented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the venting function from the main fuel tank cap and relocates it to a dedicated vent port on the receiver. This separation allows the fuel tank to remain sealed for vapor containment while the receiver's vent port provides a controlled pathway for pressure relief, eliminating the contradiction between sealing and venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver serves as an intermediary pressure management system between the sealed fuel tank and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that maintains the sealed state of the fuel tank while offering a regulated venting pathway through its own vent port, thus mediating between vapor containment requirements and pressure relief needs.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then safety during transport is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the locking function into a separate, simple latch mechanism that is integrated into the receiver assembly. This modular approach allows the locking feature to be added as a discrete component rather than complicating the overall system design, maintaining reliability while minimizing complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through spring-loaded latches that automatically engage when the receiver is assembled. This self-service feature eliminates the need for complex manual locking procedures or additional control systems, providing transport safety through a simple, automatic mechanism.
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 apparatus effectively contains volatile vapors during refueling, ensures rapid filling, and provides enhanced safety by automatically disengaging in case of drops or pressure loss, preventing spills and potential ignitions, while simplifying the design and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
By the inclusion of springs in the probe and the receiver of the system an additional level of safety in the field is added because if the device being fueled and the fuel bottle are dropped in an emergency situation (for example running from sudden fire surge or falling tree limb) the springs will act to automatically disengage the fuel bottle from the device being fueled and close themselves off
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A volatile liquid refueling apparatus (10), which includes a probe (12) including an outer collar (30), and a receiver (14) including a receiving collar (50), where the outer collar (30) of the probe (12) and the receiving collar (50) of the receiver (14) are configured to join to create a vapor-tight enclosure, and where the receiver (14) further includes a duel locking mechanism whereby the apparatus (10) can be locked in either an open position or a closed position.