Collapsible Tank Vent Assembly External Bonding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art vent assemblies for collapsible storage tanks are heavy and prone to causing sagging and tearing of the tank's fabric, leading to moisture accumulation and reduced vapor pressure release, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A vent assembly with a flange member and central hub, utilizing a top and intermediate sealing layer of flexible fabric bonded to the tank's wall, eliminating the need for fasteners and reducing weight, featuring an oval flange configuration and threaded hub for secure attachment without internal metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional vent assembly with fasteners and internal metal components is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but weight increases and tearing of fabric occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes internal metal components and fasteners from the vent assembly, extracting only the essential functions. The vent assembly consists of a flange member with sealing layers bonded externally to the tank wall, eliminating heavy internal structures while maintaining attachment security through the bonding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, bolts, internal metal components) with a chemical bonding system. The sealing layers are bonded externally to the tank wall using adhesive bonding, substituting mechanical fasteners with a chemical bond that distributes stress across a larger area and eliminates the need for internal metal structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a heavy vent assembly is used, then structural stability is achieved, but sagging and concave depressions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the sagging problem by bonding the sealing layers externally to the tank wall, allowing the bonding interface to counteract the weight of the vent assembly. This external bonding configuration prevents the assembly from pulling the fabric inward and creating concave depressions, maintaining the tank's original surface shape.
3Reliability
If fasteners are used for attachment, then secure mounting is achieved, but fabric tearing and moisture accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fasteners and internal metal components from the mounting system, eliminating the sources of fabric damage. The vent assembly is mounted using only external bonding of sealing layers, removing the harmful mechanical penetration that causes fabric tearing and moisture trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flexible sealing layers (thin films) that are bonded externally to the tank wall. These flexible layers conform to the tank surface and distribute mounting stresses, preventing fabric tearing while maintaining a secure seal. The bonding interface prevents moisture accumulation by creating a continuous seal without penetrating the fabric.
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 solution significantly reduces the weight and likelihood of tearing, prevents concave depressions, and ensures effective vapor pressure release, enhancing safety by minimizing moisture accumulation and maintaining a secure seal without internal fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate sealing layer of flexible fabric having a hole aligned with the opening in the hub and mounted beneath the flange and extending outwardly there beyond and bonded to the top sealing layer beyond the flange; and a wall of the collapsible storage tank formed from flexible fabric material, the intermediate sealing layer bonded to the wall
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a vent assembly for mounting on a collapsible storage tank is provided including a flange member having a central hub, and a flange extending outwardly from the central hub; a top sealing layer of flexible fabric having a hole for receiving the central hub and mounted at least partially over the flange and extending outwardly beyond the flange; an intermediate sealing layer of flexible fabric having a hole aligned with the opening in the hub and mounted beneath the flange and extending outwardly there beyond and bonded to the top sealing layer beyond the flange; and a wall of the collapsible storage tank formed from flexible fabric material, the intermediate sealing layer bonded to the wall.