Flexible Tank Vent With Offset Baffles for Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible tanks used for transporting fluids face challenges with pressure buildup due to gas production, leading to potential tank failure and fluid loss, as existing vents can clog and allow fluid egress alongside gases, causing damage and spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A vent system with a housing and offset baffle structure that creates a convoluted pathway for fluid egress, preventing fluid from contacting the valve and reducing the risk of clogging, while allowing gas to escape, featuring a one-way umbrella valve with tunable cracking pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a vent is used to egress gases from the tank, then pressure buildup is prevented, but fluid may egress alongside gases causing loss and spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is divided into multiple functional components: a housing, a valve for gas egress, and a baffle system with offset apertures. This segmentation allows the vent to selectively pass gases while blocking fluid through the offset aperture design that creates a convoluted pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle system acts as an intermediary element between the tank interior and the vent outlet. The offset apertures in the baffles create a convoluted pathway that mediates the flow, allowing gases to pass while preventing direct fluid contact with the valve and egress
2Reliability
If the tank is made impermeable and airtight, then leaks and contamination are prevented, but pressure buildup occurs during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system provides dynamic pressure relief while maintaining static sealing. The airtight tank structure is complemented by a dynamic venting mechanism that activates when pressure builds up, allowing the system to adapt between sealed and venting states as needed
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
Effectively manages pressure buildup by allowing gas egress without significant fluid loss, reducing the risk of tank failure and fluid spoilage, while maintaining the integrity of the tank and its contents during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way umbrella valve with tunable cracking pressure
Implementation Method 2
tunable cracking pressure
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of baffles within the housing, wherein each baffle in the plurality of baffles comprises at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture or apertures of a first baffle within the plurality of baffles are offset from the aperture or apertures of a second baffle within the plurality of baffles
Data Source
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AI summary
A vent is described, more specifically a vent for the egress of fluid. The vent comprises a housing comprising an opening and at least one valve that extends through the housing. Additionally, the vent includes a plurality of baffles within the housing, where each baffle in the plurality of baffles comprises at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture or apertures of a first baffle within the plurality of baffles are offset from the aperture or apertures of a second baffle within the plurality of baffles. In this way, the egress of various fluids though the housing may be controlled.