Resilient Expandable Pressure Vessel for Compact Liquid Spring Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid spring suspension systems rely on non-expandable pressure vessels, which require larger sizes to achieve low spring rates, and have unpredictable spring behavior due to their dependence on liquid compressibility and pressure.

Innovation Solution

The development of resilient expandable pressure vessels that can expand and contract in response to pressure changes, allowing for a smaller, more compact design and predictable spring rates by varying their expansibility across a range of operating pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional non-expandable pressure vessels are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the system size increases and spring rate becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring rate predictabilityVSAvoidpressure vessel size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic expandable structure that can change its volume in response to pressure variations. The resilient walls allow the vessel to expand when pressure increases and contract when pressure decreases, enabling predictable spring rate behavior while maintaining a compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the pressure vessel is changed from rigid and fixed-volume to resilient and variable-volume. By modifying the mechanical properties of the vessel walls to be expandable, the system achieves predictable spring characteristics without requiring a larger overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of stationary object

If resilient expandable pressure vessels are used, then system size is reduced and spring rate is predictable, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure vessel sizeVSAvoidpressure vessel structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel employs resilient walls that can flex and expand while maintaining structural integrity. These flexible walls are designed to withstand pressure variations through controlled elasticity, allowing the vessel to change volume predictably without compromising strength or risking failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional liquid spring systems are used, then simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different spring rates is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring rate adjustabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring rate becomes a dynamic parameter that automatically adjusts with pressure variations. As pressure increases, the resilient walls expand, changing the effective spring rate. This dynamic adaptability is inherent to the system design rather than requiring additional control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure vessel autonomously adjusts its volume and spring rate in response to pressure changes without external control. The resilient walls self-regulate the system's mechanical properties based on the operating conditions, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the creation of smaller liquid spring suspension systems with predictable and adjustable spring rates, enhancing the ability to absorb forces and dampen vibrations while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

resilient expandable pressure vessel... predetermined expansibility... as the pressure of a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) in the resilient expandable pressure vessel increases, the vessel expands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3455505B1Resilient expandable pressure vessel
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 LIQUIDSPRING TECH
  • EP3455505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3455505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3455505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A resilient expandable pressure vessel configured to function like a spring. The resilient expandable pressure vessel includes a body portion, a cavity defined within the body portion, and at least one port in communication with the cavity defined in the body portion. The at least one port is configured to receive a fluid into the cavity and discharge the fluid from the cavity. The resilient expandable pressure vessel has a predetermined expansibility across a range of operating pressures of the fluid in the cavity. The range is at least 200psi.