Fiberglass Tank Adapter With Augmented Bolt Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for fiberglass storage tanks face challenges in resisting leakage and bonding effectively with the flexible fiberglass surface, particularly due to the material's pliability and temperature resistance, which is not adequately addressed by current standards.
Innovation Solution
A saddle-shaped tank adapter with an augmented bolt pattern and a hemispherical cover, using materials like 304 Stainless Steel and EPDM gaskets, is designed to securely attach to fiberglass tanks, ensuring a tight seal by maintaining a closer bolt hole spacing on the saddle flange compared to the circular flange, and utilizing anti-seizing compounds to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional bolt pattern is used on the adapter, then the adapter can be manufactured according to ANSI standards, but leakage occurs due to the flexible fiberglass tank surface
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs different bolt patterns for different portions of its structure. The saddle-shaped end features an augmented bolt pattern with closer spacing specifically at the tank interface to accommodate fiberglass flexibility, while the opposite end maintains a traditional ANSI-compliant bolt pattern for standard pump connections. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying manufacturing standards where appropriate while enhancing reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional zones: a saddle-shaped portion for tank attachment with augmented bolt spacing, and a flanged portion for pump connection with traditional bolt pattern. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the saddle portion prioritizes leakage resistance through closer bolt spacing, while the flanged portion maintains manufacturing standard compliance.
2Strength
If the adapter is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then it provides strength, but it cannot accommodate the flexible fiberglass tank surface
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a gasket system with flexible sealing elements that conform to the flexible fiberglass tank surface. The gasket acts as a compliant interface layer between the rigid adapter body and the flexible tank, allowing the adapter to maintain its structural rigidity while adapting to the tank's flexibility through the compliant sealing mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If bolt holes are spaced further apart, then the adapter is easier to manufacture, but leakage increases due to tank surface flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt hole spacing is optimized locally at the tank interface portion of the adapter, where closer spacing provides enhanced seal integrity against the flexible fiberglass surface. Other portions of the adapter maintain more generous spacing for manufacturing ease, creating a compromise that prioritizes reliability where it is most critical while preserving manufacturing simplicity elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for a cylindrical polyethylene comprises a tubular body section, a saddle-shaped flange connected at a first end to the tubular body section, and adapted to mate with an outer surface of the cylindrical tank, the saddle-shaped flange including a bolt hole pattern having a first spacing. A circular flange connected to a second end of the tubular body section, the circular flange having a bolt hole pattern having a second spacing, wherein the first bolt hole spacing is one half the second bolt hole spacing.