Woven Flame Mitigation Device for Portable Fuel Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard portable fuel containers lack effective mechanisms to prevent air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames near the access ports from igniting the fuel reservoir contents, posing a risk of fire when mishandled near sources of flames.

Innovation Solution

A flame mitigation device with a woven construction, featuring inelastically resiliently flexible interwoven warps and wefts, and quenching openings that allow liquid fuel through while preventing the propagation of air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames, is integrated into the fuel reservoir behind the access port. This device is elastically flexible to accommodate standard fuel pump nozzles and maintain its shape under manual manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flame mitigation device with woven construction is integrated into the fuel reservoir, then flame propagation is prevented while liquid fuel flow is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame propagation preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flame mitigation device utilizes a woven construction with interstices that function as porous structure. The woven material allows liquid fuel to pass through while the interstices are sized to quench flame propagation. This porous approach enables the device to maintain fuel flow functionality while providing flame arrestment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The flame mitigation device employs a composite construction combining woven material with specific structural features (mouth, sidewall, bottom). The woven construction itself acts as a composite structure where interlaced fibers create the flame-quenching interstices while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the flame mitigation device is made elastically flexible to accommodate manual manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining quenching opening dimensions may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual manipulation flexibilityVSAvoidquenching opening dimension stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flame mitigation device incorporates an elastically flexible construction that allows it to be compressed and manipulated manually. The flexible material maintains its elastic properties to return to original shape after deformation, ensuring quenching openings remain within safe dimensions during normal operation while allowing ease of installation and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic flexibility of the device provides a cushioning effect that absorbs mechanical stress during manipulation and installation. This pre-built elastic capacity allows the device to deform temporarily under compression from fuel pump nozzles or manual handling, then return to its original configuration, maintaining quenching opening integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 flame mitigation device effectively prevents air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames from propagating into the fuel reservoir, ensuring user safety and maintaining the functionality of the portable fuel container without compromising performance or increasing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the flame mitigation device interstitially defines quenching openings between the warps and the wefts configured to allow liquid fuel therethrough, but prevent air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames from propagating therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame quenching:

Implementation Method 2

the flame mitigation device is elastically flexible to hold its shape, but elastically flex under manual manipulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10960245B2Flame mitigation device for a portable fuel container

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 GREIF US PLASTICS LLC

AI summary

A portable fuel container includes a fuel reservoir and an access port therefor, and an elongate flame mitigation device in the fuel reservoir behind the access port. The flame mitigation device includes an open mouth sealed around the access port, a closed bottom opposing the mouth, and an intermediate tubular sidewall. In addition, the flame mitigation device has a woven construction. In relation to the woven construction, the flame mitigation device includes inelastically resiliently flexible interwoven warps and wefts. Moreover, the flame mitigation device interstitially defines quenching openings between the warps and the wefts configured to allow liquid fuel therethrough, but prevent air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames from propagating therethrough. Moreover, the flame mitigation device is elastically flexible to hold its shape, but elastically flex under manual manipulation.