Storage Tank Internal Sub-Chamber Overflow Filling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage tank filling methods are inefficient and prone to errors, especially for tanks with flat shapes, as they require adjusting nozzle lengths or replacing nozzles, leading to potential underfilling and increased filling times.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank design featuring a main chamber and an internal sub-chamber with a reclosable filling opening, where the overflow level of the sub-chamber is set above the desired fill level, allowing for precise filling without nozzle adjustments, using a filling nozzle that extends into the sub-chamber for both filling and draining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filling nozzle is inserted into the storage tank to control fill level, then the fill level can be controlled, but for flat-shaped tanks the nozzle extends too far and leaves the fill level too low
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber is divided into two segments: a main storage chamber and a sub-chamber positioned above it. The sub-chamber acts as a reference volume that, when filled to its overflow level, automatically establishes the correct fill level in the main storage chamber. This segmentation allows the filling nozzle to extend into the sub-chamber without affecting the final fill level of the main chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-chamber serves as an intermediary element between the filling nozzle and the main storage chamber. It mediates the filling process by receiving the liquid first and overflowing into the main chamber at a predetermined level, thereby eliminating the need to precisely control nozzle insertion depth.
2Measurement precision
If the filling nozzle is replaced or modified to achieve correct fill level, then accurate filling is achieved, but time is lost and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-chamber is pre-configured with a specific volume and overflow level that corresponds to the desired fill level of the main storage chamber. This preliminary design eliminates the need for real-time adjustments or nozzle replacements during the filling operation, as the correct fill level is automatically achieved through the sub-chamber's overflow mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual filling with predetermined amount is used, then filling can be performed, but measurement and registration of fill level is required which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-chamber with overflow level provides a self-regulating filling mechanism. As liquid is introduced through the filling nozzle, it automatically fills the sub-chamber first, and once the sub-chamber reaches its overflow level, liquid begins to overflow into the main storage chamber. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external measurement devices, flow meters, or complex control systems to monitor and register the fill level.
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 quick and accurate filling of storage tanks of varying dimensions, including flat shapes, without the need for nozzle replacements or length adjustments, ensuring a consistent fill level and reducing human error, while allowing for visual or sensor-based fill level verification.
Implementation Method 1
an overflow level of the internal sub chamber is located substantially at or above a predetermined fill level of the main storage chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2E
Figure 3A~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a storage tank (20) for storing a liquid (40), wherein the storage tank (20) comprising: a main storage chamber (21); an internal sub chamber (22) located within the storage tank (20); and a reclosable filling opening (23) for enabling filling of liquid (40) into the main storage chamber (21) and internal sub chamber (22); wherein an overflow level (28) of the internal sub chamber (22) is located substantially at or above a predetermined fill level of the main storage chamber (21); and wherein the reclosable filling opening (23) and the internal sub chamber (22) are arranged in a substantially superposed relationship in a vertical direction, such that a substantially or entirely vertical stream of liquid (40) filling the storage tank (20) via the reclosable filling opening (23) is configured to enter the internal sub chamber (22).The disclosure also concerns a method for filling a storage tank (20) with a liquid,a method for manufacturing a storage tank (20) for storing a liquid, as well as a system comprising a storage tank (20) and a filling nozzle (25).