Dual Independent Drain Sub-assemblies for Tank Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double emptying devices in tank containers are bulky, affecting stability and can retain product residues due to incomplete purging and cleaning, particularly when handling incompatible substances.
Innovation Solution
A tank design with two independently connected drain sub-assemblies positioned on either side of the vertical axis, featuring a bent connection pipe and retaining flange, allowing for reduced size and improved stability, and eliminating residue retention through independent operation of each sub-assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional double emptying device with drain pipe and side branches is used, then flexibility of emptying operation is improved, but the size and height of the device increase, raising the center of gravity and degrading tank stability
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is divided into two independent drain sub-assemblies, each with its own internal valve and connection pipe. This segmentation allows each sub-assembly to be positioned lower and independently, reducing the need for a tall centralized drain structure while maintaining the ability to empty from either side, thus preserving flexibility while improving stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional double emptying device with side branches is used, then emptying can occur from both lateral sides, but product retention in the drain pipe becomes possible, causing safety hazards when mixing incompatible products
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drain system into two independent sub-assemblies with separate internal valves (11a, 11b) and connection pipes, the invention eliminates the shared side branch structure that causes product retention. Each sub-assembly can be independently purged and maintained, eliminating the hazard of residual product from previous operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic side branch structure from the conventional design. By eliminating the transverse side branches that create dead zones for product retention, the design achieves complete emptying capability while removing the source of the retention hazard.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tank is raised to accommodate a bulky emptying device, then the emptying device can be installed, but the center of gravity increases and tank stability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the emptying device components from a vertical arrangement (requiring height and raising the center of gravity) to a horizontal arrangement at the lower part of the tank. The two sub-assemblies are positioned laterally on either side of the vertical axis, utilizing horizontal space instead of vertical space, thus maintaining stability while accommodating the emptying device.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tank for the transport of gaseous, liquid or powdered products comprising a tank and a draining device, said tank being characterized in that the draining device is formed by two draining sub-assemblies connected independently to said tank, the two draining sub-assemblies being positioned in a lower part of the tank and on either side of a vertical axis defining an axis of symmetry of said tank.