Modular Box-Shaped Storage Tank for Limited Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage tanks for pressurized heat transfer fluids face limitations in space efficiency and pressure resistance due to their cylindrical shape, which restricts their use in small environments and limits their capacity and operating pressures.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage tank design comprising multiple box-shaped bodies connected via abutment walls and through openings, allowing for reduced depth and increased structural resistance, enabling installation in limited spaces while accommodating high operating pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical storage tank is used, then the tank has simple manufacturing and good structural strength, but the tank occupies excessive walkable surface area and cannot be installed in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional cylindrical tank geometry to a box-shaped tank with reduced depth dimension. This dimensional change allows the tank to be installed in limited spaces such as on walls or in small environments, significantly reducing the walkable surface area occupied while maintaining adequate storage capacity.
2Area of stationary object
If a box-shaped storage tank with reduced thickness is used, then the tank occupies less walkable surface area and can be installed in limited spaces, but the tank has limited capacity and limited operating pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the box-shaped tank into multiple separate box-shaped bodies that are placed against each other and connected through abutment walls. This segmentation allows each individual box-shaped body to maintain structural integrity and resist pressure effectively, while the combined assembly achieves the required storage capacity. The abutment walls provide mutual support between adjacent bodies, enhancing overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple box-shaped bodies into a single integrated storage system. By placing the bodies against each other and connecting them through abutment walls with through openings, the system achieves both the reduced footprint of individual boxes and the enhanced capacity and pressure resistance of a larger integrated structure.
3Strength
If internal studs are added to a box-shaped storage tank, then the structural resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding internal reinforcement elements like studs to a single large box-shaped tank, the patent segments the tank into multiple smaller box-shaped bodies. Each body maintains its own structural integrity, and the abutment walls between bodies provide the necessary reinforcement, eliminating the need for complex internal stud structures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A storage tank (1) includes two or more box-shaped bodies (2) which develop along a first direction (3) and are placed against each other along at least a second direction (4), perpendicular to the first direction (3), wherein the box-shaped bodies (2) are connected to each other, at least one inlet port (5) and at least one outlet port (6) respectively for the inlet and outlet of a fluid under pressure relative to the storage tank (1), wherein each of the box-shaped bodies (2) is hollow and has at least one abutment wall (7) along which it is placed and abuts against a lateral abutment wall (7) of another box-shaped body (2) and delimits at least one through opening (8) such that the box-shaped bodies (2) are in fluid communication with each other, wherein the storage tank (1) has a reduced thickness along a third direction (11) orthogonal to the first direction (3) and to the second direction (4).