Mobile Inactive Gas Supply for Containers in Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas supply systems require transport vehicles to transport containers to a purge stocker for inactive gas supply, limiting the ability to supply gas while the containers are in transit.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply system comprising a transport vehicle and a gas supply vehicle that travels along the same path, with the transport vehicle equipped to receive and supply inactive gas from the gas supply vehicle, allowing gas supply to containers during transport, and the gas supply vehicle detachably holding a gas tank for easy replacement and increased gas capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transport vehicle transports the container to the purge stocker for inactive gas supply, then the inactive gas can be supplied to the container, but the gas supply can only occur when the container is stored in the purge stocker, limiting operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas supply function from the stationary purge stocker and relocates it to a mobile gas supply vehicle that travels along the same path as the transport vehicle. This allows the gas supply capability to be taken out of the fixed facility and delivered directly to moving containers, enabling gas supply during transport without requiring containers to stop at a purge stocker.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gas supply vehicle acts as an intermediary between the gas source and the moving containers. It carries gas tanks and connects to containers during transport, serving as a mobile intermediary that enables gas supply without requiring the container to access a fixed purge stocker facility.
2Reliability
If a stationary purge stocker is used for gas supply, then gas can be supplied to stored containers, but the system requires additional fixed facilities and cannot supply gas to moving containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static gas supply system into a dynamic one by replacing the stationary purge stocker with a mobile gas supply vehicle that moves along the transport path. This dynamic configuration allows the gas supply capability to follow the containers throughout their journey, maintaining reliability while reducing the need for fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gas supply vehicle serves multiple functions: it acts as a gas storage unit, a gas supply station, and a mobile facility that can service any container along its path. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized stationary purge stocker, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining gas supply reliability.
3Quantity of substance
If the gas supply vehicle carries a large gas tank, then the gas supply capacity increases, but the vehicle size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is segmented into multiple gas tanks that can be individually mounted on the vehicle. Instead of using one large complex tank, the system employs multiple smaller tanks that can be arranged and configured flexibly, increasing gas capacity while maintaining manageable vehicle structure and enabling easy replacement or maintenance of individual tanks.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas supply system includes a gas supply vehicle configured to supply an inactive gas to a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle includes a supply receiving section configured to receive the inactive gas supplied from the gas supply vehicle; and a first supply device configured to supply, to a container, the inactive gas supplied to the supply receiving section. The gas supply vehicle is further configured to travel along a travel path, and the gas supply vehicle includes a holding section configured to detachably hold a gas tank filled with the inactive gas; a supply section configured to be connected to and disconnected from the supply receiving section; and a second supply device configured to supply the inactive gas from the gas tank held by the holding section to the supply section.