Cylindrical Vacuum Vessel for Perishable Goods Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for low-pressure storage of perishable goods face challenges in efficiently and economically fabricating vacuum chambers that can withstand the forces of high or low pressure, as cubic-shaped structures are inefficient under pressure loads and require significant reinforcement, leading to increased weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
The development of transportable cylindrical vacuum chambers made from existing components and materials, such as commodity-grade thermoplastics or metallic materials, with enhanced stiffness and resistance to buckling through corrugated or multi-layered designs, and internal support structures to manage axial loads, allowing for efficient and cost-effective fabrication and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cubic-shaped vacuum chambers are used for low-pressure storage, then they can be easily fabricated and fit standard rectangular containers, but they require significant reinforcement to withstand pressure forces, leading to increased weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cylindrical geometry to the vacuum chamber design, replacing the cubic shape with a curved surface configuration. This curvature allows the structure to better distribute and withstand pressure forces without requiring excessive reinforcement, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and pressure resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the cylindrical chamber, combining materials with different properties to achieve both structural strength for pressure resistance and manufacturability. This allows the chamber to withstand vacuum forces while remaining economically fabricable.
2Volume of moving object
If cubic-shaped vacuum chambers are used, then they maximize packing efficiency in rectangular containers, but the structural reinforcement required increases material usage and cost
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from cubic to cylindrical geometry, the patent reduces the amount of material needed for structural reinforcement while maintaining adequate pressure resistance. The curved surface distributes stresses more efficiently, requiring less material to achieve the same structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rectangular vacuum chambers are used to fit standard containers, then they optimize space utilization, but they are structurally inefficient under pressure loads
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical design provides superior structural efficiency under pressure loads compared to rectangular configurations. The curved surface evenly distributes vacuum forces, preventing stress concentration at corners and edges, thereby improving structural stability and efficiency while maintaining adaptability to standard container dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum container for containing perishable items in controlled, reduced pressure, atmospheric conditions is provided. The vacuum container includes a section of generally cylindrical pipe open at both ends and formed of a plastic material. A first end cap is detachably secured to one end of the pipe to form a vacuum resistant seal between the first end cap and the pipe. A second end cap detachably secured to the other end of the pipe to form a vacuum resistant seal between the second end cap and the other end of the pipe. Preferably, the pipe and end caps are all formed of a plastic material capable of withstanding the pressures created when a high vacuum is formed in the chamber.