Pleated Tank Vent With Run-Off Surface For Liquid Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank vents fail to effectively prevent the ingress of contaminants such as particles and liquids into tanks, particularly in applications like urea tanks in diesel vehicle exhaust systems, where vapor release and liquid handling are critical, and are prone to damage from freezing and crystal growth.
Innovation Solution
A pleated tank vent design featuring a housing with a filter element and a gravity-enabled run-off surface that directs liquids away from the filter, combined with a microporous membrane and optional splash guard, ensures efficient vapor passage while preventing liquid ingress and enhancing durability against environmental extremes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard tank vent is used, then vapor release is achieved, but contaminants such as particles and liquids can ingress into the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested filtration by placing a first filter media inside a first housing, a second filter media inside a second housing, and a microporous membrane between them. This nested arrangement allows multiple filtration stages to be integrated within a compact vent structure, effectively blocking contaminants while maintaining vapor release functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different filter media with specific local properties to address different contamination threats. The first filter media is designed to block particles, the second filter media to block liquids, and the microporous membrane to prevent crystal ingress. This localized quality assignment optimizes contaminant prevention for each specific threat while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If the filter element is exposed to liquids directly, then vapor passage is efficient, but the filter element is prone to freezing and crystal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microporous membrane as an intermediary layer between the filter elements and the liquid environment. This membrane allows vapor to pass through while blocking liquid and crystal ingress, protecting the filter elements from freezing damage without impeding vapor flow efficiency. The membrane acts as a mediator that separates the filter elements from direct liquid exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a run-off surface that actively directs liquids away from the filter element before they can cause freezing or crystal damage. This preliminary action of liquid redirection prevents harmful substances from reaching vulnerable components, enhancing filter element durability without requiring additional protective housings or complex sealing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a simple vent design is used, then manufacturing is easy, but it cannot prevent liquid and particle ingress effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vent system into separate modular components: a first housing containing first filter media, a second housing containing second filter media, and a microporous membrane. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together. While the assembly process is more complex than a simple vent, the modular design standardizes the assembly steps and enables parallel manufacturing, improving overall production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of filter media within housings, and housings within each other, creates a compact integrated structure that maximizes contaminant blocking capability within a limited space. This nesting approach allows multiple filtration functions to be combined in a space-efficient manner, maintaining ease of manufacture by using standardized housing and filter media components that can be produced using conventional manufacturing 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 vents vapors while preventing contaminants and enhancing the longevity of the filter element by directing liquids away and protecting against freezing and crystal damage, ensuring reliable operation in varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous membrane configured to prevent ingress of liquid and particles therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a gravity-enabled run-off surface that directs liquids away from the filter
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein relates to a tank vent having a housing and a pleated, vapor-permeable microporous membrane. The housing defines a first vapor passageway configured for direct communication with a tank interior and a second vapor passageway configured for direct communication with the atmosphere. The housing also defines a tank mounting surface is mountable to a tank housing and a media mounting surface. The microporous membrane is sealed to the media mounting surface and defines a tubular structure such that the first vapor passageway and the second vapor passageway are in communication through the microporous membrane. Other embodiments including methods are also disclosed.