Flexible Tank With Segmented Compartments For Liquid Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible tanks deform and sometimes break during transportation due to direct pressure forces from the liquid's weight and fluctuations, causing damage to container walls, and the use of bulkheads to prevent liquid movement is costly and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A flexible tank design with a lower compartment and an upper compartment of smaller width/length, positioned offset to prevent contact with the container door, featuring an inner layer with welded compartments and an outer woven polypropylene layer for stability, with optional passage apertures or barriers to control liquid transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flexible tank is placed into a metal container for liquid transportation, then the liquid can be transported from one location to another, but the pressure forces from the liquid weight and fluctuations directly transfer to the container walls causing deformation and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid transportation capabilityVSAvoidcontainer wall integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tank is divided into an upper compartment and a lower compartment separated by a bulkhead. This segmentation prevents liquid movement between compartments, reducing hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations on the container walls during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bulkhead acts as an intermediary structure between the liquid and the container walls. It absorbs and distributes the pressure forces, preventing direct transfer of fluctuation forces to the container walls and eliminating the need for additional bulkheads at the container level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a bulkhead is positioned between the container door and the flexible tank to prevent liquid movement, then the liquid cannot move towards the opened door, but this requires additional bulkhead material which increases cost and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containment reliabilityVSAvoidbulkhead structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bulkhead is integrated as part of the flexible tank structure itself rather than being a separate container component. The upper and lower compartments of the flexible tank are separated by this bulkhead, combining the containment function with the tank structure and eliminating the need for additional bulkhead materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bulkhead serves multiple functions: it separates the liquid into upper and lower compartments to prevent movement, maintains structural integrity of the flexible tank, and eliminates the need for additional container-level bulkheads, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible tank is made compliant with the rectangular prism form of the container, then it can be placed into the container, but the contact region between the flexible tank and container transfers pressure forces directly to the container walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer compatibilityVSAvoidpressure force on container walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tank is segmented into upper and lower compartments by a bulkhead. This segmentation creates internal pressure distribution that reduces the direct transfer of pressure forces to the container walls, while the overall tank shape remains compatible with the container's rectangular prism form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Reduces pressure on container walls by distributing liquid weight and fluctuations, minimizing deformation and damage, and eliminates the need for bulkheads, enhancing stability and reducing transportation costs.

Implementation Method 1

said lower and upper parts being welded to each other along at least one common seam line so as to form a sealed seam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

by the affect of the force resulting from the hydrodynamic pressure caused by these fluctuations, the pressure force applied to the container walls increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic pressure:

Data Source

PatentEP2616369B1A flexible tank for the transportation of liquids

Publication Date: 2015.10.14 LIKUA ENDUSTRIYEL AMBALAJ MALZM SAN VE TIC LTD STI

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AI summary

The present invention is a flexible tank (2) having a closed form wherein liquid can be stored and which can carry liquid from one location to the other by means of a vehicle, characterized by comprising a lower compartment (21) and an upper compartment (22) one having smaller width or length than the other and positioned one upon the other so that the liquid transfer in between is at least partially prevented.