Bulk Milk Tank Ventilation System Prevents Siphoning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bulk milk tanks face issues with milk loss and potential implosion due to siphoning and negative pressure when the ventilation conduit is filled with milk, especially when there is a significant height difference between the tank's top and bottom openings.

Innovation Solution

A bulk milk tank design featuring a second ventilation passage that allows air to enter the system, preventing negative pressure buildup by extending above the highest point of the first ventilation passage, which can be further enhanced with a check valve or varying conduit cross-sections to prevent milk from entering the air passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ventilation conduit extends from the top of the milk tank to a lower level in the building, then ventilation function is achieved, but milk may flow out through the conduit due to siphoning when the tank is overfilled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidmilk loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is divided into two separate passages: a first ventilation passage for normal ventilation operations and a second ventilation passage as a backup air supply route. This segmentation ensures that if milk enters the first passage, the second passage can still provide air supply to prevent siphoning and milk loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second ventilation passage is installed in advance as a protective measure against the harmful effect of milk entering the first ventilation passage. This backup passage prevents negative pressure buildup and siphoning before they can cause milk loss or tank implosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Loss of substance

If the ventilation conduit is filled with milk, then the siphon effect occurs causing milk to flow out, but this creates negative pressure that may cause the tank to implode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk flow through conduitVSAvoidnegative pressure causing implosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second ventilation passage acts as an intermediary air supply route that prevents the development of negative pressure inside the tank. By providing an alternative air intake path, it mediates between the milk flow through the first passage and the tank interior, preventing the harmful siphoning effect and potential implosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single ventilation passage is used, then the device complexity is low, but the system is vulnerable to milk entry and siphoning effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation passage structureVSAvoidprotection against milk entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into multiple independent passages with distinct functions. The first ventilation passage handles normal ventilation, while the second ventilation passage serves as a dedicated backup air supply. This segmentation increases reliability by ensuring that failure or contamination of one passage does not compromise the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the ventilation system have different qualities and functions. The first ventilation passage is optimized for normal ventilation operations, while the second ventilation passage is specifically designed as a backup air supply route. This local differentiation of function ensures that each passage performs its specific role effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively prevents milk from flowing out through the ventilation conduit and mitigates the risk of tank implosion by ensuring air can enter and maintain a balanced pressure, even if the first passage is filled with milk, thus safeguarding the tank's integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a second ventilation passage adapted to admit air into the upper portion of the storage space... preventing negative pressure buildup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a siphon is formed by the ventilation conduit. The static pressure head created by the liquid column in the ventilation conduit causes milk to flow out of the milk tank via the ventilation conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphoning: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP3125680B1Bulk milk tank

Publication Date: 2019.04.24 DELAVAL HLDG AB

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Herein a bulk milk tank (2) is disclosed. The bulk milk tank (2) forms a storage space (4) and comprises a milk inlet (8) connected to the storage space (4) adapted for introducing milk into the storage space (4), a ventilation conduit (10) forming a first ventilation passage (12) connected to an upper portion of the storage space (4) and extending from the upper portion of the storage space (4) to a level below the upper portion of the storage space (4). The bulk milk tank (2) comprises a second ventilation passage (16) adapted to admit air into the first ventilation passage (12) or into the upper portion of the storage space (4). The second ventilation passage (16) is connected to the ventilation conduit (10) or to the upper portion of the storage space (4).