Interlocking Tank Baffle Geometry for Liquid Slosh Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sloshing of liquids in tanks during vehicle movement affects vehicle maneuverability and can cause unintended movement after stopping, necessitating a solution to impede or interrupt liquid flow within the tank.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, non-spherical fluid baffle with apertures is designed to be easily installed in a tank, featuring a shape that promotes interference between baffles to form a connected mass, reducing sloshing by allowing fluid passage while minimizing relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed permanent baffles are formed inside the liquid tank, then sloshing is effectively interrupted, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle system is segmented into multiple independent spherical baffles instead of a single complex fixed structure. Each sphere contains multiple apertures and can move independently, allowing the system to achieve effective sloshing interruption through the collective action of many simple units rather than one complicated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffles are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions in response to liquid flow and vehicle motion. This dynamic capability enables the spherical baffles to effectively interrupt sloshing while maintaining simplicity in their individual structures and ease of installation.
2Ease of operation
If spherical baffles are used, then installation is simplified, but the ability to form a connected mass that reduces relative movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall baffle shape is spherical for ease of installation, asymmetry is introduced through the non-uniform distribution and sizing of apertures on the sphere's surface. This asymmetric aperture configuration enhances the baffle's ability to interact with liquid flow and form connected masses, improving sloshing interruption effectiveness without compromising installation simplicity.
3Productivity
If multiple apertures are provided in the baffle, then fluid passage is improved, but the structural strength and integrity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed as a spherical structure, which provides inherent structural strength and integrity. The curved surface of the sphere distributes stress uniformly, allowing multiple apertures to be incorporated without significantly compromising the overall structural strength. The spherical geometry maintains rigidity while accommodating the necessary fluid passage openings.
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 baffles effectively reduce liquid sloshing by forming a connected mass that impedes and interrupts fluid flow, enhancing vehicle stability and maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
a body defining an interior volume and defining a plurality of fluid passage apertures at spaced positions around the body to allow fluid to easily pass into and out of the interior volume
Implementation Method 2
a shape of the body is such that outermost points of the body map onto points on a notional spherical volume and wherein recessed regions of the body between the outermost points are recessed from the outermost points
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to fluid baffles and parts and kits for making such baffles. For example, some embodiments relate to a fluid baffle for use in a tank, where the baffle comprises: a body defining an interior volume and defining a plurality of fluid passage apertures at spaced positions around the body to allow fluid to easily pass into and out of the interior volume; wherein the body comprises a continuous wall that defines a plurality of convex regions spaced from each other around the body and defines concave regions between the convex regions.