High-Pressure Tank Bolster Layout for Exposed Functional Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure tanks face challenges in accommodating robust incorporation and positioning of functional attachments due to traditional bolster winding procedures that confine them to the tank ends, limiting flexibility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A bolster is applied to the tank body to define open regions around mounting members, inlet and outlet ports, and drain ports, allowing these components to be exposed and facilitating more robust integration and positioning, while using non-metallic materials and internal compartments to enhance strength and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a bolster is applied in a generally uniform distribution to increase tank strength, then the strength and durability of the tank is improved, but the incorporation and positioning of functional attachments is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The bolster is applied with non-uniform distribution, creating localized open regions at specific positions where functional attachments need to be incorporated. This allows the tank to maintain overall strength while providing specific areas where attachments can be freely positioned and accessed, resolving the contradiction between uniform strength and attachment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolster application is segmented into different regions: covered regions for structural strength and open regions for attachment functionality. This segmentation allows the tank body to have both strengthened areas and accessible areas for functional attachments, enabling both purposes to coexist.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional winding procedures are used to apply the bolster, then the manufacturing process is simple, but functional attachments are confined to the tank ends
Solution Approach 1:
The winding procedure is made dynamic and adaptable, allowing the bolster application pattern to be adjusted during the manufacturing process. The procedure can create open regions at any position on the tank body by modifying the winding path, enabling functional attachments to be positioned anywhere rather than being confined to fixed locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bolster is applied to cover the entire tank surface, then the structural integrity is maximized, but access to mounting members and ports is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The bolster application creates local variations in coverage, with open regions providing accessibility to mounting members and ports while covered regions maintain structural integrity. This localized approach ensures that structural strength is preserved in critical areas while accessibility is provided where needed for operations and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A (high-pressure) tank for a vehicle that includes a tank body with a plurality of functional attachments and a bolster that is wound about the tank body to increase strength of the high-pressure tank. The bolster is applied to the tank body so as to define open regions that extend about the functional attachments such that the functional attachments are exposed from (e.g., extend through, protrude beyond) the bolster.