Pressure Vessel Ribs with Variable Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure vessels, such as those used as compressor gas coolers, face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining required design conditions of rigidity and strength, particularly due to non-uniform stress distribution caused by internal pressure, which is exacerbated by grid shape ribs that increase weight.
Innovation Solution
The pressure vessel design incorporates ribs of varying thickness based on stress distribution, with thicker ribs in areas of high stress and thinner ribs in areas of low stress, optimizing material distribution to reduce weight while ensuring structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If grid shape ribs are provided in the outer periphery of the vessel to satisfy rigidity and strength conditions, then structural integrity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the rib thickness according to the stress distribution pattern. Thicker ribs are positioned in high-stress areas (corner portions and peripheral regions) while thinner ribs are used in low-stress areas (central regions), thereby achieving structural integrity only where needed and reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of rib thickness from a uniform value to a variable value that corresponds to the stress distribution. The rib thickness is specifically designed to be larger in corner portions and peripheral regions compared to central regions, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness ribs are provided throughout the vessel, then manufacturing is simplified, but material is wasted in low-stress areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the rib thickness non-uniform, with thicker sections in high-stress areas and thinner sections in low-stress areas. This eliminates material waste in regions where less structural support is needed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic thickness variation
3Strength
If rib thickness is increased throughout the vessel to ensure strength, then structural integrity is improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing thicker ribs only in specific high-stress regions (corner portions and peripheral regions) rather than uniformly throughout the entire vessel. This localized reinforcement achieves the required structural integrity while minimizing the overall material usage and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by providing enhanced rib thickness only where necessary (in corner portions and peripheral regions with higher stress concentrations) rather than excessively reinforcing the entire vessel structure, thereby achieving adequate strength with reduced weight
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure vessel having reduced weight while satisfying required design conditions has polygonal upper and bottom walls, a side wall provided therebetween, an upper curved surface portion for connecting the upper and side walls, and a lower curved surface portion for connecting the bottom and side walls. An upper wall center rib includes an upper wall center part, and upper wall annular ribs respectively connecting substantially center parts of the upper wall and surrounding the upper wall center rib. Ribs are formed substantially centrally in the upper curved surface portion. A bottom wall center rib includes a center part in the bottom wall. Bottom wall annular ribs are formed connecting the bottom wall and surrounding the bottom wall center rib. Lower curved surface portion ribs are formed substantially centrally in the lower curved surface portion, and main surface ribs are formed substantially centrally in the side wall.