Conformal Water Tank with Segmented Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conformal-shaped water storage tanks in potable water systems, such as those in aircraft, face challenges in maintaining shape under pressure, leading to increased cost and weight due to the need for high-strength materials and structural reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A water supply system where the water storage tank is not constructed as a pressure vessel, allowing it to be made from lightweight materials without internal or external reinforcement, and pressurization is achieved through smaller pressure tanks downstream, using air pressure to maintain water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the water storage tank is made to a conformal shape to fit irregular space, then the interior space utilization is improved, but the tank cannot maintain its shape under pressure without high-strength materials and structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage function into two separate components: a conformal-shaped ambient pressure tank for water storage and smaller spherical pressure tanks for pressurization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between conformal shape and pressure resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pressurization system using spherical pressure tanks and control valves to maintain water flow pressure. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for the conformal tank to withstand pressure, allowing it to maintain its irregular shape without reinforcement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high-strength pressure resistant materials and structural reinforcement are used to maintain tank shape under pressure, then the tank shape stability is improved, but the cost and weight of the potable water system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the storage function from the pressurization function, placing the conformal tank at ambient pressure and using separate small pressure tanks for pressurization. This eliminates the need for heavy reinforcement in the conformal tank, reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses smaller, replaceable pressure tanks that can be easily replaced or refilled, rather than making the entire conformal tank pressure-resistant. This approach reduces the weight and cost of the overall system while maintaining functionality.
3Stress or pressure
If the conformal-shaped tank is pressurized to maintain water supply pressure, then the water supply pressure is improved, but the conformal shape cannot be maintained without external and internal structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides pressurization into separate spherical pressure tanks that are connected to the conformal storage tank. This allows water supply pressure to be maintained without pressurizing the conformal tank itself, eliminating the need for complex structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from spherical pressure tanks to maintain water flow pressure in the conformal storage tank. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach maintains water supply pressure without requiring the conformal tank to be structurally reinforced for pressure containment.
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
This design reduces the cost and weight of the water storage tank while ensuring uninterrupted water supply by using multiple pressure tanks for seamless operation and minimizing the need for high-strength materials.
Implementation Method 1
an air source fluidly connected along an air line and into the pressure tank under the control of an air valve located along the air line to pressurize the volume of water in the pressure tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A water supply system (10) includes a water storage tank (12) having a storage tank outlet (22), the water storage tank (12) configured to store a volume of water (14) at a first pressure. A pressure tank (28) is in fluid communication with the water storage tank (12) and is periodically fillable with water from the water storage tank (12). An air source (40) is fluidly connected to the pressure tank (28) to pressurize the volume of water in the pressure tank (28) to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. A pressure tank output line (54) is fluidly connected to the pressure tank (28) to output water from the pressure tank (28).