Ground-Level Tank Trailer Operating System for Safe Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank trailers pose safety risks to operators due to the need for frequent access to the top of the tank, where hazardous conditions and physical strain increase the likelihood of injury, and there is a need to improve both operator safety and productivity by reducing exposure time to the top of the tank during operations.
Innovation Solution
The design relocates critical systems such as manholes, venting systems, and Clean-In-Place (C.I.P.) systems to ground level, eliminating the need for operators to access the top of the tank by positioning sealable manholes and venting outlets on the side, with interconnected pipe systems and control valves housed in a lockable housing, allowing for efficient and safe operation from ground level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access ports (manholes) are located on top of the tank, then inspection, filling, and sampling operations can be performed, but operator safety is compromised due to the need to climb to elevated positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the access ports from the vertical dimension (top of tank) to the horizontal dimension (side of tank at ground level). This dimensional shift allows operators to perform all necessary operations from ground level, eliminating the need to climb ladders or catwalks while maintaining full access to manholes for inspection, filling, and sampling.
2Device complexity
If all systems (manholes, venting, C.I.P.) are positioned on top of the tank, then compact design is achieved, but operator exposure time to hazardous conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tank access systems into two functional groups: (1) manholes positioned on the side of the tank at ground level for operator access, and (2) venting and C.I.P. systems positioned on top of the tank for their respective functions. This segmentation allows operators to access manholes from ground level while maintaining proper venting and cleaning capabilities on the tank top.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If catwalks and safety railings are added to the top of the tank, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operator access function from the elevated tank top environment and relocates it to ground level. By moving manholes to the side of the tank at ground level, the patent eliminates the need for catwalks, ladders, and safety railings entirely, thereby removing the associated complexity and weight while maintaining operator safety.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manholes are relocated to ground level, then operator safety is enhanced, but access for inspection and sampling may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the side of the tank as an intermediary location to position manholes at ground level. This intermediary position maintains proximity to the tank interior while being accessible from ground level, allowing operators to perform inspection, filling, and sampling operations without climbing to the top of the tank.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground-level access operating system for a tank trailer. The ground-level system includes a cleaning/washing device, a venting device, an inspection access port, and device for loading/unloading the compartments. All devices in this system are located on the side of the semi-trailer, within an operator's reach on the ground. The devices locations are meant to be reachable to ensure operator safety. The operator of the trailer can execute all work without having to reach the top of the tank. Both of venting and cleaning/washing devices have their access port on top of the tank but are hooked up at a position proximate ground level, for an easy-to-reach operation and inspection by on operator on the ground.