Hydrostatic Refilling of Winter Service Spreader Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for automatically refilling additional tanks with brine in winter service spreaders are trouble-prone and require separate filling of different tank containers, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The method utilizes hydrostatic forces to refill additional tanks from the spreading material container or tank sack, allowing simultaneous filling of both tank containers through a liquid line, eliminating the need for separate filling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pumps are used to automatically refill additional tanks with brine, then the refilling process is automated, but the system becomes trouble-prone and requires separate filling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump from the system entirely and replaces it with a passive hydrostatic refilling mechanism. The liquid line connects the spreading material container to the additional tanks, allowing brine to flow automatically through hydrostatic pressure differences without any mechanical pumping components, thereby eliminating pump-related reliability issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service refilling where the additional tanks automatically refill from the spreading material container through the liquid line when brine level differences create hydrostatic pressure. The system uses its own operational conditions (brine level, gravity) to perform the refilling function without external intervention or additional energy input
2Ease of operation
If separate filling of spreading material container and additional tanks is performed, then filling control is simplified, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filling operations of the spreading material container and additional tanks into a single unified process. When the spreading material container is filled with brine, the excess liquid automatically flows through the liquid line to refill the additional tanks, allowing both containers to be filled simultaneously through one filling operation rather than requiring separate filling sequences
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 approach facilitates efficient and time-saving refilling and emptying of liquid tanks, ensuring that both tank containers are filled and emptied uniformly, reducing operational complexity and increasing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The core of the invention is to be seen in that the automatic refilling of the additional tanks with brine from the spreading material container or the tank sack inserted therein is obtained substantially solely through hydrostatic forces
Data Source
AI summary
In a spreader for winter service vehicles, brine is filled from a tank sack into additional tanks by purely hydrostatic effect substantially without the use of pumps, by the tank sack being so filled for example by excess pressure that the brine is urged through a liquid line where it forms a closed liquid column. The exit end of the liquid line lies below the entrance end of the liquid line so that, upon filling, the liquid from the tank sack automatically flows into the additional tanks due to hydrostatic forces. Upon emptying the liquid tank, the liquid also flows in a corresponding manner from the tank sack into the additional tanks, thereby completely emptying the tank sack.