Mobile Fuel Station with Gravity Dispensing and Solar Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional fuel distribution stations are costly, resource-intensive, and environmentally unfriendly due to their permanent nature, requiring extensive construction, underground tank installations that can lead to leakage and pollution, and high operating costs from mechanical pumping and electrical consumption. They lack flexibility in fuel types and location, making them impractical for remote areas and rapidly changing market demands.

Innovation Solution

A modular, environmentally friendly mobile fuel distribution station using alternative power sources like solar panels and wind turbines, with elevated storage tanks and minimal piping, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly, self-sufficiency, and the ability to store and dispense various fuels without mechanical pumping, thus reducing environmental impact and operational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional permanent fuel distribution stations are constructed with underground tanks and mechanical pumping systems, then fuel distribution capability is achieved, but construction cost, time, and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction easeVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel distribution system is divided into modular above-ground components including storage tanks, dispensing units, and support structures that can be manufactured separately and assembled quickly on-site, eliminating the need for lengthy underground construction work

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of burying tanks underground as in traditional stations, the invention inverts the approach by placing tanks and dispensing equipment above ground on portable support structures, which dramatically reduces construction time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If underground metal or fiberglass tanks are used for fuel storage, then fuel storage capacity is achieved, but environmental pollution and fuel loss from leakage and corrosion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel storage capacityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage tanks are extracted from underground burial and positioned above ground on portable support structures, eliminating contact with corrosive soil moisture and preventing leakage into the environment while maintaining full fuel storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameter of tank location from underground to above-ground position, which fundamentally alters the environmental interaction from potentially harmful soil contact to controlled above-ground storage with reduced pollution risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If mechanical pumping systems are used to dispense fuel from underground tanks, then fuel dispensing function is achieved, but electrical power consumption and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel dispensing capabilityVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical pumping system with a gravity-based dispensing system where fuel flows naturally from above-ground tanks through controlled dispensing mechanisms, eliminating the need for electricity-consuming pumps while maintaining fuel dispensing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Stability of the object's composition

If permanent fuel distribution stations are anchored to ground with concrete and underground infrastructure, then structural stability is achieved, but relocation flexibility and adaptability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrelocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structures are designed to be portable and reconfigurable rather than permanently fixed, allowing the entire fuel distribution system to be moved, repositioned, or relocated as needed while maintaining structural stability during operation through proper anchoring to the portable base

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Ease of manufacture

If extensive underground excavation and public works are performed for tank installation, then underground tank installation is completed, but environmental disturbance and construction complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidenvironmental disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional installation approach by placing tanks above ground rather than excavating underground, completely eliminating the need for soil excavation, public works, and environmental disturbance while simplifying installation to basic portable structure assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 mobile fuel distribution station enables rapid deployment, flexibility in fuel types, and reduced environmental footprint, operating efficiently with minimal power consumption and no underground infrastructure, making it suitable for remote locations and dynamic market needs.

Implementation Method 1

an alternative power generation device, the alternative power generation device being one of a solar power generator and a wind power generator for providing primary power to the mobile fuel distribution station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind power generation: Wind Power

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8573242B2Mobile fuel distribution system

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 CAPAT LLC

AI summary

A modular, environmentally friendly mobile fuel distribution station includes a fuel tank, a support structure having a plurality of legs for supporting an operation platform in an elevated position a predetermined distance above ground, an alternative power generation device, the alternative power generation device being one of a solar power generator and a wind power generator for providing primary power to the mobile fuel distribution station and a central platform operatively connected to at least two of the legs, the at least two of the legs bearing the weight of the central platform, wherein the fuel tank and the alternative power generation device are disposed on the operation platform.