Microgravity Liquid Reservoir Ribbed Internal Structure

Solution Overview

Problem

In microgravity environments, rigid liquid containers are unsuitable for storing and transferring liquids due to the absence of significant gravitational forces, which prevents liquids from being drawn by suction into conduits, necessitating the use of flexible bags or bladders that may collapse under suction, obstructing liquid removal.

Innovation Solution

A flexible liquid reservoir with an internal structure featuring a plurality of ribs and a hollow tube that extends from the opening to the distal end, including perforations and lateral projections, prevents wall collapse and ensures unobstructed liquid flow when suction is applied, allowing for efficient liquid extraction and transfer in microgravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a flexible bladder is used to store liquid in microgravity, then space is conserved and liquid containment is maintained, but the bladder walls collapse under suction and block the liquid flow channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir volumeVSAvoidliquid extraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The internal structure is segmented into multiple longitudinal ribs that divide the bladder interior into multiple channels. This segmentation ensures that when the bladder collapses during suction, not all channels are blocked simultaneously, maintaining liquid flow paths from the distal end to the opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal ribbed structure acts as an intermediary element between the flexible bladder wall and the liquid flow. These ribs prevent direct contact between the collapsing wall and the liquid channel, maintaining open pathways for liquid extraction even when the bladder is being suctioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a rigid container is used to store liquid, then liquid containment is maintained and structure is simple, but the liquid cannot be drawn by suction into conduits in microgravity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidliquid extraction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible bladder instead of a rigid container, allowing the structure to deform during liquid extraction. The flexibility enables the bladder to collapse inward under suction while the internal ribbed structure prevents complete wall closure, maintaining liquid flow channels throughout the extraction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Use of energy by moving object

If the bladder walls are allowed to collapse during suction, then space is conserved and suction force is maximized, but the walls block the liquid flow channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction efficiencyVSAvoidliquid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The internal structure is segmented into multiple longitudinal ribs that divide the bladder interior into multiple channels. This segmentation ensures that when the bladder collapses during suction, not all channels are blocked simultaneously, maintaining liquid flow paths from the distal end to the opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal ribbed structure dynamically adapts to the collapsing bladder wall during suction. The ribs flex and move with the wall collapse while maintaining the structural integrity of the flow channels, allowing the system to optimize both space conservation and liquid flow throughout the extraction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 flexible liquid reservoir design ensures reliable liquid transfer and storage in microgravity conditions by maintaining open channels and preventing wall collapse, facilitating efficient liquid handling and reducing the complexity and weight compared to traditional inflatable bladders within rigid containers.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible liquid reservoir with an internal structure featuring a plurality of ribs and a hollow tube that extends from the opening to the distal end, including perforations and lateral projections, prevents wall collapse and ensures unobstructed liquid flow when suction is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3347284B1Liquid reservoir for microgravity system

Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SPACEPHARMA SA

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Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B

AI summary

A liquid reservoir for use in a microgravity environment includes a bladder for holding a liquid. The bladder includes flexible walls and an opening for extraction of the liquid from the bladder. An internal structure is shaped so as to form a channel to conduct the liquid from an end of the bladder that is distal to the opening. The internal structure is configured to prevent the walls of the bladder from blocking the channel when suction is applied to the opening.