Portable Lube Skid Layout for Low-Residual Fluid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lube skids face issues with residual fluid accumulation in tanks, weight distribution during transport, and the need for separate control boxes, which affect efficiency and portability.
Innovation Solution
A lube skid design featuring horizontally stacked tanks with sloped surfaces to minimize residual fluid, integrated spill containment, and embedded function controls, powered by an electric motor for independent operation, and incorporating a carrying scaffold for ease of movement and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional horizontal tank configuration is used, then ease of manufacture and standard design are maintained, but residual fluid accumulates in dead zones reducing distribution efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces and domed bottoms to tank design instead of traditional flat horizontal bottoms. The curved geometry eliminates dead zones where fluid accumulates, allowing complete drainage and distribution of fluid through the pump system, thereby improving productivity while reducing residual fluid loss.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric motor is used to power all lube skid functions, then operation in enclosed spaces becomes possible with zero emissions, but energy consumption increases and requires external power source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces combustion engines with electric motors to power all lube skid functions. This substitution eliminates harmful emissions making the system suitable for enclosed spaces, while the electrical system provides controlled energy consumption through efficient motor operation and electronic control systems.
3Ease of operation
If separate control box is mounted on lube skid, then all functions can be controlled, but device complexity increases and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control system directly into the skid's existing structure and housing rather than using a separate control box. This merging of control functions with the main body reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the overall device, while maintaining full operational control through integrated switches and interfaces.
4Volume of moving object
If vertically stacked tanks are used, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tank system into modular units that can be vertically stacked. Each tank is designed as an independent module with standardized connection interfaces, allowing simple vertical assembly while maximizing space utilization. The segmentation enables easy manufacturing of individual units and simplified assembly of the complete system.
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 design reduces residual fluid, optimizes weight distribution, and eliminates the need for external control boxes, enhancing operational efficiency and portability, suitable for indoor use.
Implementation Method 1
tanks configured with flow optimizing surfaces to reduce the dead zone of the tanks in which a residual amount of fluid is consistently left in the bottom of a tank
Implementation Method 2
the lube skid is powered entirely by an electric motor thereby allowing full deployment of all lube skid functions
Data Source
AI summary
A lube skid apparatus configured to be moveable and transportable. The lube skid having one or more tanks carried by a scaffold of the lube skid. One or both tanks having sloped bottom walls to optimize flow of fluids in the tanks to minimize residual fluid left in the tank. One or both tanks having sloped top walls configured to contain and direct the flow of fluid spills on the skid to an adjacent sump. The skid also carries a plurality of service devices such as a motor, an air compressor, a tank to hold compressed air, pumps to move fluid with associated filters and hoses, and one or more service storage drawers.