Predicting Electrostatic Charges in Liquid Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current certification processes for liquid containers, such as fuel tanks, lack sufficient feedback on physical conditions and risks due to inadequate modeling of electrostatic charge transport and fluid dynamics, leading to lower-fidelity predictive models and increased costs in testing and design optimization.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that generate high-fidelity computational models to simulate electrostatic charge transfer in liquid containers, incorporating fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation models, allowing for refined predictions and certification of design through iterative simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If current certification processes use generalizations and assumptions in modeling, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and manufacturing precision of predictive models deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the liquid container system through high-fidelity numerical models that replicate the physical container's geometry, fluid dynamics, and electrostatic charge transport behavior. This digital twin approach allows certification without physical testing while maintaining high predictive accuracy through detailed boundary conditions and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical experimentation and mechanical testing with computational simulations. The certification process transitions from physical prototypes and laboratory tests to virtual experiments using numerical models that solve fluid dynamics and electrostatics equations, eliminating the need for repeated physical testing.
2Measurement precision
If high-fidelity numerical models are used, then measurement precision and predictive accuracy improve, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the certification process into distinct computational modules: fluid dynamics simulation, electrostatic charge transport modeling, and boundary condition specification. Each module handles specific physical phenomena independently, allowing complex problems to be solved through systematic decomposition while maintaining overall model fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal computational framework that can model different liquid container geometries, fluids, and operating conditions within a single integrated system. The numerical model serves multiple functions including fluid flow analysis, charge transport prediction, and certification validation, reducing the need for separate specialized models.
3Measurement precision
If physical experimentation is used for certification, then measurement data is obtained, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational analysis to predict electrostatic charge behavior before physical testing is required. The high-fidelity numerical models provide advance predictions of charge accumulation, transport, and relaxation that guide certification decisions and reduce the need for iterative physical experimentation, accelerating the overall certification timeline.
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
Significantly reduces testing costs and enhances certification accuracy by providing detailed, quantified predictions of electrostatic charges, improving design reliability and reducing experimental costs through efficient integration of certification sub-processes.
Implementation Method 1
generating executable code to reproduce fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation during transfer of liquid into the liquid container
Implementation Method 2
a filter provided in the liquid container interacts with the incoming liquid such that the electric charge is stripped from the liquid and bulk polarization of the liquid is caused
Data Source
AI summary
A method of predicting electrostatic charges in a liquid container is provided. The method includes generating a computer geometric model of the liquid container according to a design of the liquid container and generating executable code to reproduce fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation during transfer of liquid into the liquid container. The method includes executing a simulating application to at least: perform a simulation of the transfer of liquid into the liquid container subject to the fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation to produce a prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container during the transfer of liquid; and iterate the simulation to update the electrostatic charge conservation. The method includes outputting the prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container to enable certification of the design of the liquid container.