Polymeric Tank Connection Design for Diaphragm Adhesion and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank systems face issues with diaphragm adhesion to the tank wall, potential leaks due to overtightening or over-torqueing of connections, and inefficient fluid flow, which can lead to pressure spikes and damage to external devices.
Innovation Solution
The tank assembly features a polymeric body with radial ribs to mitigate diaphragm adhesion, includes connections with inward and outward flanges to prevent overtightening, and incorporates snap features and turbulators for secure attachment and efficient fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diaphragm is used to separate air from water in the tank, then the tank can maintain pressure separation, but the diaphragm may adhere to the tank wall causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding radial ribs only in specific locations where diaphragm adhesion is most likely to occur. These ribs create localized airflow paths and prevent uniform adhesion across the entire tank wall, addressing the harmful effect at critical points while maintaining overall pressure separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial ribs segment the diaphragm-tank wall interface into multiple regions, creating gaps that allow air to pass through and prevent complete adhesion. This segmentation breaks up the continuous contact between diaphragm and wall, eliminating the harmful adhesion effect while preserving the pressure separation function.
2Strength
If connections are tightened to ensure secure attachment, then connection strength is improved, but overtightening can cause leaks and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-formed seals and positioning features in the connection components before assembly. These preliminary features ensure proper alignment and sealing contact are achieved automatically during installation, preventing both insufficient sealing and overtightening damage before the tightening action is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection design includes compliant sealing elements and stress-distributing features that cushion against excessive tightening forces. These elements deform to absorb excess torque, preventing damage to the connection components and maintaining reliable sealing without requiring precise torque control during installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple connection components are used to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but secure attachment and leak prevention become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated connection components that combine sealing, positioning, and attachment features in single parts. This merging achieves reliable secure attachment and leak prevention while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the integrated components are formed in single molding operations rather than requiring assembly of multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection components utilize composite material structures combining rigid attachment elements with compliant sealing materials. This composite approach provides both the structural strength for secure attachment and the flexibility for reliable sealing, while being manufacturable through standard injection molding processes for cost-effectiveness.
4Productivity
If the tank structure is simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but fluid flow efficiency may deteriorate causing pressure spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating radial ribs and flow guidance features only in specific critical areas where flow separation and pressure spikes are most likely to occur. This localized approach improves fluid flow efficiency and prevents pressure spikes without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire tank structure, maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a tank including a polymeric upper dome having a neck with a through passage, a polymeric lower dome having a neck with a through passage, a polymeric shell having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome, and a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes in the through passages of the necks, wherein the upper dome, lower dome, and shell form a cavity. The tank includes at least one stop feature to prevent overtightening of an attachment to the tank, at least one feature to prevent loosening of the attachment from the tank, and a feature to prevent a diaphragm from sticking to the inside of the tank walls.