Offset-Baffle Venting for Flexible Tank Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible tanks used for transporting fluids face challenges with pressure buildup due to released gases, leading to potential tank deformation, fluid loss, and vent clogging, which can result in bursting or spoilage of contents.
Innovation Solution
A vent system with a housing and offset baffles creating a convoluted pathway to prevent fluid from reaching the valve, ensuring that only gases are released, thereby reducing the risk of fluid loss and vent clogging, and maintaining the structural integrity of the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent is used to egress excess pressure from the tank, then pressure build-up is prevented, but transported fluid may be egressed alongside waste gases causing fluid loss and vent clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is divided into multiple functional segments: a housing containing offset baffles that create a convoluted pathway, a valve mechanism, and an opening. The baffles segment the flow path to separate gas egress from fluid contact, allowing pressure relief while preventing fluid loss and clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset baffles act as intermediary elements that mediate between the tank interior and the valve. They create a convoluted pathway that allows gases to reach the valve for egress while preventing direct fluid contact, thus protecting the valve from clogging and preventing fluid loss.
2Reliability
If the tank is made impermeable and airtight, then leaks and contamination are prevented, but pressure build-up occurs causing tank deformation and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system extracts excess pressure and gases from the sealed tank interior through a controlled egress path. The offset baffles and valve mechanism allow selective removal of gaseous content while maintaining the overall airtight seal of the tank, preventing pressure build-up without compromising tank integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent system changes the pressure parameter inside the tank by providing a controlled release mechanism. When pressure exceeds a certain threshold, the valve opens to egress gases, thereby changing the pressure state from high to acceptable levels, preventing tank deformation and failure.
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 vent system effectively manages pressure buildup by allowing gas egress while minimizing fluid loss, preventing tank deformation and ensuring the contents remain intact during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of baffles within the housing, wherein each baffle in the plurality of baffles comprises at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture or apertures of a first baffle within the plurality of baffles are offset from the aperture or apertures of a second baffle within the plurality of baffles
Data Source
AI summary
A vent is described, more specifically a vent for the egress of fluid. The vent comprises a housing comprising an opening and at least one valve that extends through the housing. Additionally, the vent includes a plurality of baffles within the housing, where each baffle in the plurality of baffles comprises at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture or apertures of a first baffle within the plurality of baffles are offset from the aperture or apertures of a second baffle within the plurality of baffles. In this way, the egress of various fluids though the housing may be controlled.