Rotating vacuum tank and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum tank systems for mixing vacuumed liquids and solids into a slurry face challenges in environmental safety, cost efficiency, and the need for distant disposal sites, especially when handling hazardous materials like asbestos.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable vacuum tank with a drive assembly for rotation, a door system with a bearing sleeve to maintain hose connection stability during rotation, and the ability to add water or drying agents to create a slurry mixture, allowing for safe and convenient discharge at any location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tank is made stationary for vacuuming and mixing materials, then the hose connections remain stable, but the disposal location is limited to fixed dump sites which are far from job sites and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is made rotatable on a turntable base, transforming it from a stationary to a dynamic structure. This allows the tank to rotate and face any discharge direction while the door remains stationary relative to the hoses, maintaining connection stability while enabling flexible disposal at any location near the job site
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tank is made rotatable to enable flexible disposal, then disposal location flexibility improves, but the hose connections would twist and become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable base enables the tank to rotate dynamically while the door remains stationary relative to the hoses, maintaining connection stability while enabling flexible disposal at any location near the job site
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable base acts as an intermediary between the rotating tank body and the stationary door, allowing the tank to rotate while keeping the door and hose connections stable through the rotational mechanism
3Productivity
If additional mixing components are added to the tank, then mixing effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank's rotation itself serves as the mixing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mixing components. The rotational motion naturally搅拌s the slurry materials, achieving effective mixing while keeping the device simple
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 rotatable vacuum tank effectively mixes and neutralizes vacuumed materials into a slurry, enabling safe and cost-effective disposal at any convenient location, while minimizing environmental risks and adhering to regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum source and a pressure source apply vacuum or pressure, respectively, inside the tank
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum hose suctions liquid or particular material into a stationary tank
Implementation Method 3
A vacuum source and a pressure source apply vacuum or pressure, respectively, inside the tank
Implementation Method 4
Water or other liquids may be added to the tank to mix with the vacuumed particulate material to form a slurry mixture
Implementation Method 5
Water or other liquids may be added to the tank to mix with the vacuumed particulate material to form a slurry mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum tank with a rear door, and air and material hoses connectable to the tank door. The tank is rotatable, while the door remains stationary. Liquid, particulate, or slurry material can be vacuumed into the rotating tank, without twisting the hoses. Additional water and/or drying agent can be added to the tank to create a slurry mixture, which can then be discharged from the tank at a convenient dump site. The tank may be mounted on a truck or trailer for transport to a job site and a dump site.