Seamless Rocket Liquid Tank With Annular Baffles for Slosh Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of liquid tanks is often redundant due to seams caused by welding or bolt fastening, necessitating design considerations for weak points and defects.
Innovation Solution
A seamless cylindrical tank body with internal annular baffles arranged axially, where at least one baffle is clamped on the inner peripheral surface, and connected by axial members, eliminating the need for seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If welding or bolt fastening is used to assemble the liquid tank, then the tank can be manufactured from separate components, but seams are created that require complex design considerations and inspection processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tank components into a single seamless integrated structure, eliminating the need for welding or bolt fastening. This integration removes seams and joint-related complexities while maintaining manufacturability through monolithic construction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tank into modular functional zones separated by internal baffles rather than external seams. This allows the tank to be manufactured as a single piece while creating internal divisions that serve specific functional purposes without requiring complex joining processes.
2Productivity
If welding or bolt fastening is used to assemble the liquid tank, then the tank can be constructed from multiple parts, but the manufacturing process becomes redundant with additional inspection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates internal baffles and structural features during the initial monolithic manufacturing process rather than adding them later through assembly operations. This preliminary integration eliminates subsequent inspection and assembly steps, reducing overall manufacturing time and redundancy.
3Reliability
If a seamless tank design is used, then the manufacturing process is shortened and safety is enhanced, but internal structures for suppressing liquid sloshing must be incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests internal baffles within the seamless tank structure, creating a hierarchical configuration where functional elements are contained within the monolithic outer shell. This nesting approach adds slosh suppression capability without compromising the safety benefits of the seamless design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local structural modifications in the form of internal baffles at specific locations within the seamless tank. These localized features address sloshing issues in critical zones while maintaining the overall simplicity and safety of the seamless construction approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid tank, including: a cylindrical seamless tank body having both end portions being reduced in diameter toward respective end sides; and a plurality of annular baffles provided inside the tank body and arranged at intervals in an axial direction of the tank body, in which at least one of the plurality of baffles is held on an inner peripheral surface of the tank body.