Flexible Bladder for Partial Enclosure Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Climate control for pneumatic structures is energy intensive and costly, requiring significant resources for heating and cooling, which is wasteful and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system that partially fills an enclosure with a flexible bladder, which can be inflated with a fluid to maintain a predetermined pressure and temperature, reducing the need for extensive climate control by displacing a portion of the enclosure's volume and optimizing airflow and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the entire enclosure volume is climate controlled, then the enclosed space is fully available for use, but energy consumption and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure volume is segmented into two distinct zones: an inflated bladder occupying 40-60% of the volume that requires minimal climate control, and the remaining external zone that is climate controlled. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion of the enclosure to be actively climate controlled, reducing energy consumption while maintaining usable space.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of climate controlling the entire enclosure volume, the system applies partial action by climate controlling only the external zone (40-60% of total volume), while the inflated bladder zone relies on passive temperature regulation. This partial approach significantly reduces energy consumption while still providing adequate space for livestock.
2Temperature
If climate control is applied to the full enclosure, then temperature and humidity are maintained, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into a climate-controlled external zone and a passively regulated internal bladder zone. Climate control equipment (heaters, coolers, dehumidifiers) is positioned only in the external zone, reducing the volume requiring active climate control and thereby lowering operational costs for energy and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflated bladder acts as an intermediary thermal mass that passively regulates temperature in its zone through the thermal properties of the bladder material and the air/fluid it contains. This intermediary structure reduces the need for active climate control equipment, lowering operational costs.
3Loss of energy
If the bladder occupies a larger volume, then more space is displaced reducing climate control needs, but less space remains for livestock
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder is inflated to occupy 40-60% of the enclosure volume, which is the optimal partial volume that achieves significant energy reduction (by reducing the climate-controlled zone) while leaving sufficient remaining volume (40-60%) for livestock. This partial occupation balances energy efficiency with usable space requirements.
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 solution significantly reduces energy consumption and costs by displacing 40-60% of the enclosure's volume with a bladder, improving energy efficiency and creating a more natural environment for livestock, while maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
The system may include a pump fluidly connected to the inlet. The pump is configured to pump the fluid from the external environment and through the inlet of the bladder to inflate the interior of the bladder.
Implementation Method 2
The system may include a sensor that is configured to sense a pressure within the interior of the bladder.
Implementation Method 3
The system may include a temperature regulator that is fluidly connected to the pump and that is configured to at least one of heat or cool the fluid pumped by the pump.
Implementation Method 4
The system may include a temperature regulator that is fluidly connected to the pump and that is configured to at least one of heat or cool the fluid pumped by the pump.
Implementation Method 5
The enclosure may include a vent that is configured to vent a gas from the interior of the enclosure.
Implementation Method 6
The system may include a fan that actively vents the gas from the interior of the enclosure through the vent.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for filling a portion of an interior of an enclosure are disclosed. The systems include a bladder that is flexible. The bladder defines an interior that is configured to retain a fluid. The bladder includes an inlet that can fluidly connect the interior of the bladder to an external environment surrounding the bladder. The bladder can be inflated within the interior of the enclosure by the fluid from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration to fill the portion of the interior of the enclosure.