Vacuum Excavation Tank Structure for Distributed Boom Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum excavation trucks with traditional thick-walled tanks and multiple rear-axles suffer from limited maneuverability, low fuel efficiency, and require specialized licenses due to weight and stress load issues, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum excavation apparatus with a tank design that distributes stress loads via a boom mount and evacuation pipe, allowing for thinner walls and reduced weight, eliminating the need for additional support structures and enabling operation on a single rear-axle vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick-walled tanks and multiple rear axles are used to support stress loads, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the vehicle weight increases, reducing maneuverability and fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stress-load bearing function into multiple components: the tank walls, the boom mount structure, and the evacuation pipe system. This segmentation allows each component to bear a portion of the total stress load, enabling the use of thinner tank walls while maintaining overall structural integrity through the distributed support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension stress-bearing approach (thick tank walls) to a multi-dimensional distribution system by adding the boom mount and evacuation pipe as additional structural elements that share the stress load, effectively distributing forces across multiple spatial dimensions and components.
2Force
If multiple rear axles are used to support the weight, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the maneuverability and fuel efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the load-bearing function across multiple structural components (tank, boom mount, evacuation pipe) rather than relying solely on multiple axles. This allows the vehicle to maintain adequate load-bearing capacity through distributed structural support while using a single-axle configuration that improves maneuverability.
3Reliability
If thick-walled tanks are used to accommodate stress loads, then the structural reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stress-bearing function across multiple components including the tank walls, boom mount, and evacuation pipe system. This allows the tank itself to have simpler, thinner walls while the overall system maintains structural reliability through the distributed support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom mount and evacuation pipe serve dual functions: they perform their primary operational roles (boom support and fluid evacuation) while simultaneously contributing to stress-load distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate reinforcement structures, simplifying the overall tank design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a vacuum-excavation apparatus that is connectible to a vehicle. The vacuum-excavation apparatus comprises a vacuum tube with an input end; a vacuum assembly for generating a suction force at the input end and drawing a stream of fluidized debris-material into the vacuum tube. The apparatus also includes a boom assembly for supporting the vacuum tube and a tank for receiving the stream of fluidized debris-material from the vacuum tube. The tank provides a boom mount for pivotally connecting the boom assembly and for providing fluid communication between the vacuum tube and the tank. The apparatus also includes an evacuation tube for providing fluid communication between the tank and the vacuum assembly and for distributing at least a portion of stress-loads that are generated by the boom assembly.