Granular Storage Panels for Vertical Capacity Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain storage housings are limited by the angle of repose of the stored granular material, restricting the maximum height of the pile and thus the storage capacity, as the material pushes against the outer covering and can spill over the base wall.
Innovation Solution
The addition of horizontally oriented panels attached to the roof structure of the grain storage housing, which extend between and are secured to the inner chords of the roof trusses, increases the storage capacity by allowing the pile to be raised above the base wall while resisting deformation under gravitational and frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the grain storage housing uses conventional side walls and roof structure, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the storage capacity is limited by the angle of repose of the granular material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends storage capacity into the vertical dimension by adding panels that attach to the roof trusses and extend upwardly above the conventional side walls. This allows granular material to be stored at heights exceeding the original housing boundaries, effectively utilizing vertical space that was previously unavailable for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage housing is segmented into the base housing structure and additional upper storage panels. The panels are attached to the roof trusses and can be configured to extend to different heights, allowing the storage system to be divided into functional zones while maintaining structural independence.
2Quantity of substance
If panels are added to extend storage above the base wall, then storage capacity increases, but the panels must resist deformation under gravitational and frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are designed with varying thicknesses and material properties at different locations to optimize strength where needed. The panels attach to the roof trusses at specific points and may have reinforced sections at the attachment points and along the height where gravitational and frictional forces are greatest, while maintaining lighter construction in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels utilize composite construction combining multiple materials or layers to achieve the necessary strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the panels to resist deformation from gravitational and frictional forces while minimizing added weight that would further increase the loads on the attachment system.
3Quantity of substance
If the granular material pile is raised above the base wall, then storage capacity increases, but material may spill over the base wall
Solution Approach 1:
The panels attached to the roof trusses serve as an intermediary containment structure between the granular material and the external environment. These panels extend above the base wall to provide a containment boundary that prevents spillage while allowing the material pile to rise to greater heights within the confined space.
Data Source
AI summary
A granular material storage capacity increasing device and system includes a housing including a plurality of roof trusses each including an inner chord. A plurality of panels is attached to the roof structure. Each of the panels extends between and is attached to adjacently positioned ones of the inner chords. Each of the panels is elongated and has a first end, a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge. An upper bend is positioned adjacent to the upper edge and defines an upper flange including the upper edge. A lower bend is positioned adjacent to the lower edge and defines lower flange including the lower edge. A primary bend is positioned between the upper and lower bends. The upper and lower flanges are attached to the inner chord. The primary bend is spaced further from the inner chord than the upper and lower bends.