Tank Inner-Space Camera Inspection for Pre-Filling Cleanliness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection systems for mobile transport tanks are inefficient, unreliable, and inconsistent in assessing cleanliness due to manual operation, incomplete coverage, and variability in user assessment, requiring significant labor and time, and are not suitable for real-time inspection before filling.

Innovation Solution

A cleanliness inspection system with a support structure and an inspection unit featuring a camera that moves to predefined measurement directions, equipped with a contamination detector using AI algorithms to analyze footage for precise and consistent contamination detection, mounted on a fluid loading gantry for efficient pre-filling inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual inspection with camera is performed, then inspection can be conducted, but inspection is incomplete and unreliable due to limited visibility and user variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidmanual operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical camera operation with an automated inspection system. The inspection unit automatically moves along predefined paths and captures images at predetermined positions without human intervention, eliminating variability in manual operation while ensuring complete and reliable inspection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system performs self-navigation and self-evaluation. The unit autonomously moves along predefined paths, captures images at predetermined positions, and the evaluation unit automatically analyzes cleanliness without requiring operator skill or judgment, making the inspection process self-sufficient and repeatable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual camera movement is used, then inspection can be performed, but inspection time is long and labor requirements are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection unit continuously captures images along predefined paths without interruption. The automated movement and image capture occur seamlessly along the entire inspection path, eliminating idle time between observations and ensuring continuous productive action throughout the inspection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines inspection paths, capture positions, and evaluation criteria before execution. This preliminary configuration allows the inspection unit to automatically navigate and capture images without real-time decision-making, significantly reducing inspection time while maintaining thoroughness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If inspection is performed during planned structural inspection, then tank integrity can be checked, but cleanliness assessment is inaccurate because tank situation differs from pre-filling conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness assessment accuracyVSAvoidinspection timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is specifically designed for pre-filling inspection, performing cleanliness assessment immediately before the tank is filled with product. This timing ensures the tank reflects its actual state at the critical moment, eliminating discrepancies between structural inspection conditions and real contamination status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If user manually assesses cleanliness, then inspection can be performed, but assessment intensity and precision vary substantially from tank to tank and user to user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness measurement precisionVSAvoidinspection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human visual assessment with an automated evaluation unit that objectively analyzes captured images. The system uses predefined evaluation criteria and algorithms to consistently measure cleanliness, eliminating variability between users while maintaining high measurement precision through standardized digital analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260046504A1Cleanliness inspection system for inspection of an inner space of mobile transport tanks

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SCANTANK BV

AI summary

Cleanliness inspection system for inspection of mobile transport tanks, such as tank containers and tank trailers, comprising: a support structure; an inspection unit, connected to the support structure, comprising an aligner to be aligned with an opening of a mobile transport tank, a housing that delimits an inner space, and a camera movable with respect to the support structure between an idle position, in which the camera is arranged within the inner space and an inspection position, in which the camera protrudes through the opening to capture footage of an inner space of a mobile transport tank upon alignment of the aligner with the opening, and a contamination detector, operatively connected to the camera, wherein the camera is configured to, in the inspection position, capture footage in predefined measurement directions associated with a contamination risk area in a mobile transport tank, and wherein the contamination detector is configured to determine foreign contamination, such as moisture or fluid residue, in the mobile transport tank on the basis of the captured footage, and to provide a contamination signal representative for the determined contamination.