Flatbed Tote Pumping Layout for Faster Multi-Liquid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bulk liquid delivery systems in semi-trucks require significant time for loading, unloading, and rinsing between different liquid types, leading to inefficiencies and potential cross-contamination due to the need for hose washing or separate hoses.
Innovation Solution
A trailer-mounted pumping system featuring a pump, batch controller, and metering device mounted beneath a flatbed trailer's deck surface, allowing for efficient liquid transfer and volume measurement, with a printer for reporting and a cross-over pipe for easy tote access, enabling the delivery of various liquids without deck space obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tanker trailers with single or multi-compartment configurations are used for bulk liquid delivery, then liquids can be transported, but significant time is lost between loading, unloading, and rinsing compartments, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the liquid handling function by placing individual pumping systems at each tote location on the flatbed trailer. Each tote can be pumped independently through its own dedicated pump and hose assembly, allowing parallel processing of multiple liquid types without requiring sequential compartment loading and unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the traditional vertical compartment stacking in tanker trailers to a horizontal arrangement of multiple totes on a flatbed trailer. This dimensional change allows for better space utilization and enables simultaneous access to multiple totes by forklifts during loading and unloading operations.
2Reliability
If hoses are washed out or separate hoses are used when switching between different liquid types, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the complexity of the delivery system increases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns a dedicated pump and hose assembly to each tote location, creating independent liquid transfer paths. This segmentation ensures that liquids from different totes cannot cross-contaminate each other during transfer operations, as each tote has its own isolated pumping system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each tote is equipped with its own pump and hose assembly that can be independently activated. The system automatically selects and activates the appropriate pump based on which tote contains the liquid to be transferred, eliminating the need for manual hose switching or washing operations.
3Productivity
If traditional tanker trailer configurations are used, then liquid transport is achieved, but deck space is obstructed and cargo flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the pumping system from an internal compartment configuration (vertical dimension) to an external flatbed configuration (horizontal dimension). This allows the full deck surface area to remain available for cargo placement, while pumping components are positioned at the periphery along the trailer sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping system is distributed locally at each tote location rather than centralized in a single compartment. Each pump is positioned near its corresponding tote, allowing for localized liquid transfer operations without requiring central access points that would obstruct deck space.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple liquid products are hauled simultaneously in traditional tankers, then delivery capacity increases, but the risk of cross-contamination increases and requires complex compartment management
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates physically separate liquid transfer paths for each tote through dedicated pumps and hoses. This segmentation allows multiple liquid products to be transported simultaneously with complete isolation between them, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining the ability to haul multiple products.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pump assembly is designed to handle multiple liquid types universally, but when multiple totes are loaded simultaneously, the system automatically activates only the relevant pumps based on tote contents. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring complex active management.
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 system increases productivity by allowing multiple liquid products to be hauled simultaneously, reduces contamination risks, and maximizes cargo space with a lightweight metal trailer design, enhancing overall delivery efficiency and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to move a liquid from at least one tote supported by the generally flat deck surface to a location off-board the flatbed trailer
Implementation Method 2
a metering device in electronic communication with the batch controller, wherein the pump is configured to move a liquid from at least one tote supported by the generally flat deck surface to a location off-board the flatbed trailer, and the batch controller is configured to measure a volume of the liquid via the metering device
Implementation Method 3
a heating element mounted to the second housing, the heating element is configured to radiate thermal energy to the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer-mounted pumping system includes a flatbed trailer having a generally flat deck surface, a pump, a batch controller, and a metering device in electronic communication with the batch controller, wherein the pump is configured to move a liquid from at least one tote supported by the generally flat deck surface to a location off-board the flatbed trailer, and the batch controller is configured to measure a volume of the liquid via the metering device. The pump, the metering device, and/or the batch controller may be disposed beneath the generally flat deck surface.