Tank Collar Mount for Direct Regulator Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressed gas tanks do not have a mount for regulators, leading to increased costs and wear due to the need for high-pressure hoses and remote positioning of regulators, which complicates maintenance and increases leakage risks.
Innovation Solution
A tank assembly with an annular collar around the neck that allows for the direct mounting of a regulator or other devices, featuring a raised flange with threaded mounting bores and a sealing member to create a gas-tight fit, reducing the need for high-pressure lines and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a regulator is positioned remotely from the tank valve, then the regulator can be accessed more easily, but high-pressure hoses are required which increase cost and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The collar integrates multiple functions: it provides a mounting surface for the regulator, creates a gas-tight seal, and structurally reinforces the tank neck. By combining the mounting bracket and sealing functions into the collar itself, the design eliminates the need for separate high-pressure hoses while maintaining regulator accessibility.
2Reliability
If a regulator is mounted directly to the tank valve, then high-pressure hoses are eliminated, but the valve must tolerate greater forces which it may not be robust enough to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as a separate structural element that divides the load-bearing function from the valve. The collar's annular structure with flange and ribs provides additional structural support at the tank neck, allowing the regulator to be mounted close to the valve without overloading the valve itself. The collar absorbs and distributes the mechanical forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves as an intermediary structure between the tank neck and the regulator mounting. It provides a reinforced mounting surface that can handle the forces from the regulator while protecting the valve from excessive mechanical loads. The collar's structural ribs and flange design distribute stresses away from the valve.
3Strength
If the collar structure is made more robust to handle high forces, then structural integrity improves, but the complexity of the collar design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar employs local reinforcement strategies: the flange provides radial strength for mounting, while the axial ribs provide longitudinal reinforcement. This localized approach to strengthening specific areas of the collar allows it to handle high forces without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A tank assembly having a gas impermeable liner having a neck for storing a compressed gas is provided. The neck has a threaded bore. An annular collar having a generally circular opening is disposed around the neck. A structural layer substantially envelopes the liner and secures the collar to the neck.