Hinging Baffles for Slurry Stabilization in Transport Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport trailers face challenges in stabilizing and preventing slurry/sludge from sloshing and accumulating at one end during transport, which affects handling and efficiency, especially on uneven terrain, and require additional materials for stabilization, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A transport container with pivotable baffles and a sealed lid for a dump truck trailer, where the baffles pivot simultaneously with the tailgate to compartmentalize the contents and prevent movement, and includes a heating system to prevent freezing and a cleaning system for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed container is used to prevent slurry from spilling, then containment is improved, but loading and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle system is designed to be movable rather than fixed. During transport, the baffles remain in position to contain slurry. During loading and cleaning operations, the baffles can be moved or removed to allow access to the container interior, thus resolving the contradiction between containment during transport and accessibility during maintenance
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional stabilizing materials are mixed with slurry, then stabilization is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into multiple compartments by the baffle system. This physical division prevents slurry from moving freely and accumulating at one end during transport, providing stabilization through structural segmentation rather than chemical additives, thus avoiding increased cost and complexity
3Temperature
If insulation is added to prevent freezing, then temperature protection is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a heating system that uses hot air circulation (pneumatic approach) to prevent freezing of slurry in the container. This method provides temperature protection without adding significant weight or bulk, as it uses air heating rather than thick insulation layers or heavy heating elements
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
The solution effectively stabilizes the slurry/sludge during transport, prevents accumulation, and allows for easy unloading and cleaning, reducing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for additional stabilizing materials and ensuring efficient operation in varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum tanker uses a heavy duty vacuum system for pneumatically loading and unloading material into and out of the tank through suction lines
Data Source
AI summary
A container for use on a dump truck style transport trailer is described, and specifically a container for transporting a fluid mixture such as a slurry or sludge is described. The container has interior hinging baffles for dividing the container into compartments and preventing the contents in the container from moving around during transport. The container has a tailgate that is connected to the baffles such that pivoting the tailgate causes the baffles to pivot. The container also includes a sealable lid that can be opened for loading contents into the container and closed for preventing spillage of the contents during transportation. A cleaning system and heating system for the container are also described.