Storage container made of plastic for a fluid medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic storage containers for heated water or drinking water face issues with oxygen diffusion, leading to oxidation and damage in metal-based systems, and lack sufficient strength for all applications.
Innovation Solution
A plastic storage tank with a barrier layer to prevent corrosive gas diffusion, reinforced with fiber composite material, and equipped with a removal device for fluid medium, featuring a robust design with specific wall thickness and layer configurations to enhance stability and integration into hot water systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a plastic storage container is used for heated water, then the container is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but oxygen diffuses into the interior and causes oxidation damage to metal installations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container uses a composite structure consisting of a plastic container body with an integrated barrier layer. This multi-material construction combines the lightweight advantage of plastic with the oxygen-blocking properties of the barrier layer, preventing oxygen diffusion while maintaining the weight benefits of plastic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer is applied specifically to the interior surface of the plastic container where oxygen diffusion occurs. This localized application of a special material property (oxygen impermeability) addresses the oxidation problem only where it occurs, without requiring the entire container to be made of heavy oxidizable-resistant materials.
2Strength
If the storage container is made with sufficient wall thickness for strength, then the container has adequate mechanical strength, but the container becomes heavier and more difficult to integrate into existing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a composite structure with a plastic body reinforced by a fiber composite material layer on the exterior. This allows the wall thickness to be reduced while maintaining adequate mechanical strength, as the fiber reinforcement provides additional structural support without significantly increasing weight or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be integrated into existing heating or drinking water systems without requiring modifications to the existing infrastructure. The standardized connection elements and compact design enable easy installation as a discrete component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier layer is added to prevent oxygen diffusion, then oxidation is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer is integrated directly into the container manufacturing process, combining the container formation and barrier layer application into a single production step. This merging of operations prevents oxygen diffusion while avoiding the need for separate barrier layer installation steps, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer is incorporated as an integral part of the container structure during manufacturing, creating a unified composite component. This approach prevents oxygen diffusion while streamlining production by eliminating the need for separate assembly steps to install the barrier layer.
4Strength
If the container is reinforced with fiber composite material, then mechanical strength is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber composite material is applied as an external reinforcement layer on the plastic container body. This approach enhances mechanical strength by utilizing the high tensile strength of fibers while keeping the core container simple and easy to manufacture. The fiber layer can be applied through established composite manufacturing techniques that integrate well with plastic molding processes.
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 solution effectively prevents oxygen diffusion, ensuring low oxidation potential, increased thermal energy storage, and improved strength, allowing for seamless integration into heating systems without damaging existing installations, while being lightweight and recyclable.
Implementation Method 1
the storage container has a barrier layer, which barrier layer prevents or essentially prevents a diffusion of corrosive gases into the interior of the storage container
Implementation Method 2
the storage container is at least partially reinforced or wrapped on the outside with a fiber composite material
Data Source
AI summary
The vessel (1) has a lid (5) formed as a separate component for closing a mounting opening, where the vessel is partially reinforced or wrapped with a fiber composite material (F) at outside. A discharge device is arranged in an inner space for supplying and/or discharging a fluid medium. A connector i.e. threaded insert, is arranged in the lid and attached with the discharge device such that the fluid medium is introducible into the inner space or discharged-out from the inner space. A barrier layer (B) i.e. metal film, is partially arranged between the vessel and the composite material. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a storage vessel.