Variable-Volume Fluid Tank for Slosh and Weight Transfer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sloshing of fluids within storage tanks in vehicles, aircraft, and vessels leads to significant changes in the center of gravity, affecting vehicle performance, stability, and increasing braking distances.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-storage tank equipped with a fluid storage volume adjuster, such as an inflatable bladder, that dynamically adjusts the fluid storage volume based on operating conditions like fluid volume, flow rate, pressure, and temperature, thereby reducing the space available for fluid slosh.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If baffles are provided within the fluid tank to mitigate sloshing, then the sloshing effect is reduced to some degree, but the baffles are unable to eliminate the sloshing effect entirely and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable partition wall that can dynamically adjust its position within the tank based on fluid levels and sloshing conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the partition to optimally mitigate sloshing effects while adapting to changing operating conditions, providing superior performance compared to static baffles without requiring complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential slosh-mitigation function from complex multi-baffle systems and implements it through a single movable partition wall. By taking out only the critical functionality and implementing it through a simpler movable structure, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving slosh mitigation effectiveness
2Quantity of substance
If the fluid storage volume is increased to accommodate more fluid, then the storage capacity is improved, but the weight transfer during braking and acceleration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition wall dynamically adjusts its position based on fluid volume and vehicle operating conditions. When the tank is full, the partition can be positioned to minimize sloshing and weight transfer. As fluid is consumed and the level drops, the partition automatically adjusts to maintain optimal slosh mitigation, ensuring consistent performance across varying storage volumes without requiring multiple tank sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameter of the partition wall position in response to changing fluid volume and acceleration conditions. By adjusting the partition's location, the system modifies the fluid distribution within the tank, thereby controlling the center of gravity shifts and weight transfer during braking and acceleration while maintaining maximum storage capacity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dynamic adjustment of the fluid storage volume effectively reduces weight transfer and sloshing, enhancing the stability and performance of vehicles and vessels by maintaining a consistent center of gravity.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid-storage tank equipped with a fluid storage volume adjuster, such as an inflatable bladder, that dynamically adjusts the fluid storage volume based on operating conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid-storage tank comprising a fluid storage volume for storing fluid therein and a fluid storage volume adjuster configured to adjustably vary the fluid storage volume of the fluid-storage tank according to an operating condition of the fluid-storage tank.