Dry Bulk Tank Air Piping System for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk tank trailers face challenges with high stress and relative movement between components due to uneven pressure distribution, leading to increased weight and reduced cargo capacity while adhering to weight regulations.
Innovation Solution
A dry bulk tank design with a tank assembly featuring a first and second compartment under substantially similar or equal air pressure, achieved through an air piping system that pressurizes or vacuums both compartments simultaneously, reducing stress and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional bulk tank trailers use uneven pressure distribution for material discharge, then discharge function is achieved, but high stress and relative movement between components occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by equalizing air pressure across all compartments during the loading process. The system introduces air into the header and distributes it evenly to multiple compartments simultaneously, ensuring that each compartment reaches the same pressure level. This eliminates pressure differentials that would otherwise cause stress concentration and component movement during operation.
2Strength
If thicker materials are used to reduce stress and deformation, then structural integrity is improved, but trailer weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure distribution parameter from uneven to uniform across all compartments. By controlling the air pressure to be substantially equal in each compartment during loading, the system reduces stress concentrations that would require thicker materials. This parameter change allows the use of lighter materials while maintaining structural integrity under operational conditions.
3Strength
If uniform pressure is applied to all compartments during loading, then stress and deformation are reduced, but cargo capacity may be limited by weight regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements equipotentiality by ensuring uniform air pressure distribution across all compartments during the loading process. This uniform pressure prevents stress concentration and reduces deformation, allowing the trailer structure to be optimized with lighter materials. The weight savings from reduced material thickness directly increases the available cargo capacity within regulatory weight limits.
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
This design reduces stress and deformation, allows for thinner materials, resulting in a lighter trailer that can carry heavier loads while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with weight regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A method of loading materials into a tank includes introducing air into a header in communication with a plurality of compartments until the compartments are pressurized to substantially equal pressures
Data Source
AI summary
A tank and a method of holding a load and discharging a load therefrom. The tank includes a body having a first wall that bounds and defines a first compartment for holding a load therein and a second wall spaced outwardly from at least a portion of the first wall; wherein a second compartment is defined between the first wall and the second wall. The tank assembly includes an air piping system that is selectively actuated to place the first compartment and the second compartment under substantially similar or substantially equal air pressure. In one example the air piping system pumps air into the first compartment and the second compartment. In another example the air piping system evacuates air from the first and second compartments.