Bonding device for automated tape application system for sealing a tank membrane

Abstract

Bonding device for automated tape application system for sealing a tank membrane. The present invention relates to a bonding device (2) for an automated tape application system (1), comprising two bonding members (20), each of the bonding members (20) comprising two fluid connectors (21), a control member (22) for the flow of fluids from each of the fluid connectors (21), a convergence chamber (27) and a cannula (29), the control member (22) of each bonding member (20) comprising an inner face (41), an outer face (42), an upper face (43) and a lower face (44), characterized in that the fluid connectors (21) of at least one of the bonding members (20) are connected to the upper face (43) and / or to the lower face (44) and / or to the outer face (42) of the control member (22) of said gluing member (20). (figure 5)

Description

Title of the invention: Bonding device for an automated system for applying tape for sealing a tank membrane

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transport and / or storage tanks for a cryogenic fluid, and more particularly to a system for applying a sealing material during the construction of such tanks.

[0002] In the LNG carrier industry, it is recommended, during the transport and / or storage of cryogenic fluid, to maintain it in liquid form and at a low temperature, as said cryogenic fluid has a very low vaporization temperature. For this purpose, the cryogenic fluid is stored in tanks comprising one or more layers of insulation, ensuring both a watertight seal by means of a sealed tank membrane and thermal protection by means of a layer of thermal insulation. The insulation layer consists of a plurality of panels assembled to form said insulation layer.

[0003] To ensure a watertight seal between the panels forming the insulation layer, strips of waterproof material are glued to close the gaps between each panel. The gluing and application of these strips of waterproof material is carried out automatically by a robot capable of moving along the membrane to apply the strips.

[0004] The robot includes, in particular, a bonding device comprising two cannulas through which circulates a fluid having adhesive properties, which is then deposited onto the surface of the panels in the form of two parallel or substantially parallel fluid segments. Following this, the robot unrolls the strip of waterproofing material over these fluid segments and presses this strip against the panels in order to bond it, and ultimately, ensure the membrane's watertightness.

[0005] The fluid segments formed by the two cannulas must comply with certain specifications, including maintaining a precise distance between them. Due to significant mechanical bulk, the gluing device has the drawbacks of not being compact, even when the robot operates in a confined space, and of not being able to bring the cannulas close enough together to maintain this distance between the two fluid segments thus formed. Such mechanical bulk is, for example, evident in application KR100928316, where connectors ensuring fluid circulation to the cannulas prevent the cannulas from being brought closer together.

[0006] In order to comply with the aforementioned recommendation, measures are implemented to force the cannulas to come together. However, this solution is not very reliable because related to the spacing and position of the fluid segments because these methods exert unacceptable mechanical stress on the cannulas.

[0007] The present invention provides a solution by ensuring the proximity of the cannulas in order to comply with the recommendations for the construction of the transport and / or storage tanks of cryogenic fluid, while avoiding the use of unreliable devices to bring said cannulas closer together.

[0008] Thus, the invention proposes a bonding device for an automated system for applying tape for sealing a membrane of a transport and / or storage tank for a cryogenic fluid, comprising at least two bonding members, each of the bonding members comprising two fluid connectors, at least one fluid circulation control member from each of the fluid connectors, a convergence chamber configured to mix the two fluids circulating from the control member and a cannula configured to deposit the fluid mixture onto said tank membrane, the control member of each bonding member comprising an inner face oriented towards the other bonding member, an outer face parallel and opposite to the inner face, an upper face and a lower face parallel to each other and perpendicular to at least one and / or the other of the inner or outer face,characterized in that the fluid connectors of at least one of the gluing elements are connected to the upper face and / or the lower face and / or the external face of the control element of said gluing element.

[0009] Moving the fluid connectors so that they are positioned on a face of the control element other than the inner face facing the adjacent bonding element reduces the mechanical space required between the control elements of the two bonding elements. This reduction in space facilitates the movement of the automated system within confined spaces. Furthermore, the reduced space also allows the cannulas to be placed closer together so that their distance complies with the recommendations of manufacturers of cryogenic fluid transport and / or storage tanks.

[0010] The gluing device is integrated within the automated system for applying tape to seal the transport and / or storage tank membrane. Such a system may take the form of a robot capable of moving along the tank membrane and comprising all the devices ensuring the application of the tape for sealing the tank membrane. The gluing device thus performs the first step in this tape application.

[0011] The gluing members are at least two in number so as to be able to deposit a segment of fluid on each panel of the tank membrane extending on either side of a gap that the strip must close in order to make the tank membrane watertight. The strip is thus glued between two parallel rows of panels. This highlights the importance of establishing a construction recommendation defining the distance between the two fluid segments, as the bonding of the watertight strip must be optimal to guarantee the tank membrane's watertightness.

[0012] Each gluing unit is configured to receive two fluids. These two fluids can, for example, be a resin and a hardener, which, when mixed, form a fluid mixture with adhesive properties. Since the fluid mixing must take place shortly before gluing, it is necessary to provide two fluid inlets at the gluing unit. The fluid mixture thus forms a liquid, viscous, or gel adhesive.

[0013] The fluid connectors are connected to the control unit and are configured to allow fluid circulation within their structure. These fluid connectors can, for example, be connected to a pipe extending to one or more fluid reservoirs. The fluid connectors must therefore have a channel with a sufficient opening cross-section to ensure proper fluid circulation to the control unit.

[0014] The control element is configured to allow or prevent the flow of fluid within the fluid connector connected to said control element. Advantageously, where two fluids are to be mixed to obtain a fluid mixture, each gluing unit comprises two control elements, one for each fluid. Controlling the flow of each fluid individually allows control of their proportions within the fluid mixture, ensuring that the mixture exhibits optimal adhesive properties as defined by the adhesive manufacturer. The control elements are thus capable of allowing or preventing access between the fluid connector and the convergence chamber.

[0015] The convergence chamber allows the two fluids to mix and subsequently flow through the cannula. The cannula may, for example, be cylindrical, extending from the convergence chamber to the vicinity of the tank membrane, so that the fluid mixture flows through the cannula and is deposited on the tank membrane. The cannula may include a static mixer in the form of a series of propellers to ensure thorough mixing of the fluids. Since the automated tape application system is simultaneously moving across the tank membrane, the fluid mixture deposit forms a segment along the path of the automated tape application system.

[0016] Due to their opening section within their structure, the fluid connectors may have a volume that could limit the cannulas coming closer together, for example because of direct contact between a fluid connector of one of the bonding devices against a fluid connector of the other bonding device.

[0017] One solution to this problem is to arrange the fluid connectors on a face of the control element other than its inner face. The inner face of each control element is understood to mean the faces directly opposite each other on each control element located on each bonding device. The fluid connectors can, for example, be arranged on the outer face, opposite the inner face, or on the upper or lower face of the control element. The lower face is understood to be the face of the control element facing the tank membrane, while the upper face corresponds to the face opposite the lower face. It should be noted that it is sufficient for only the inner face of the control element of one of the two bonding devices to lack fluid connectors in order to bring the cannulas closer together in a suitable manner.Creating space on the inner surface of the control organ of each gluing organ therefore makes it possible to reduce the distance between the cannulas.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, each of the gluing elements comprises an adjustment device for modifying the distance between the cannulas of each of the gluing elements, said adjustment device being capable of adjusting the distance between the cannulas of the gluing device to a minimum distance of 110 mm. Creating space on the inner face of the control element of each gluing element allows the cannulas to be brought closer together via said adjustment device. It is thus possible to achieve a minimum distance of 110 mm between the cannulas, a distance that is impossible to achieve without creating space between the gluing elements or without using unreliable methods. The distance of 110 mm thus corresponds to a distance that complies with the previously mentioned recommendation.

[0019] In order to modify the distance between the cannulas, the adjustment device may for example include a wheel allowing each of the gluing elements to be moved for example along a rail or a worm screw, in order to move the cannulas further apart or closer together.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the adjustment device is capable of modifying the distance between the cannulas between 110 mm and 190 mm. Generally, the distance between the cannulas can be modified as much as the adjustment device allows, the essential point being to be able to bring the cannulas close enough together to comply with the construction recommendations for the transport and / or storage tank without having to resort to unreliable and risky methods.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the fluid connectors can be connected on the same face of the control element of at least one of the gluing elements. The fluid connectors can therefore both be connected on the upper, outer, or lower face of the control element. It is also possible to arrange both fluid connectors on the inner face of one of the gluing elements, provided that the two fluid connectors of the other gluing element are arranged on one or more faces other than the inner face of the control element.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, each of the two fluid connectors of at least one of the gluing elements can be connected on opposite faces of the control element. In other words, a gluing element may, for example, comprise one fluid connector arranged on the upper face of the control element and another fluid connector arranged on the lower face of the control element. An arrangement of one fluid connector on the outer face of the control element and another fluid connector on the inner face of the control element is possible, provided that the two fluid connectors of the other gluing element are arranged on one or more faces other than the inner face of the control element.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, each of the two fluid connectors of at least one of the gluing elements can be connected on a face intersecting each other on the control element. In other words, a gluing element may, for example, comprise one fluid connector arranged on the external face of the control element and another fluid connector arranged on the upper or lower face of the control element. An arrangement of one fluid connector on the internal face of the control element and another fluid connector on the upper or lower face of the control element is possible provided that the two fluid connectors of the other gluing element are arranged on one or more faces other than the internal face of the control element.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the control element of each gluing unit comprises a valve configured to control the flow of fluids and a pilot device controlling said valve. The valve may be in the form of a cylinder actuated by the pilot device. The latter is controlled to supply a quantity of fluid adapted to the need, as previously mentioned.

[0025] According to one feature of the invention, the valve may be a pneumatic valve. In this case, a gas, for example air, controls the valve and allows it to open or close in order to respectively permit or prevent the flow of fluid to the convergence chamber. In another example, the valve may be a hydraulic valve or an electrically controlled valve.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the control device comprises at least one connection, said connection being connected to a face of the control element perpendicular or parallel to at least the face where the fluid connectors are connected. The connection can therefore be arranged on any face of the control element, the essential point being that the connection is not arranged on the same face as the fluid connector in order to avoid any mechanical interference between the lines connected to the fluid connectors and the lines connected to the connections. Since the connections have a smaller volume than the fluid connectors, it is possible to arrange all the connections on the inner face of each of the control elements of the gluing device without compromising the 110 mm distance between the two cannulas.Depending on the type of valve installed on the gluing device, the connections may be a connection allowing the passage of a gas, a liquid such as oil, or may be an electrical connection for electrically controlling the valve.

[0027] According to one feature of the invention, each gluing member comprises at least one control member support disposed between the control member and the convergence chamber, the control member support comprising at least one material recess in which at least one of the fluid connectors extends. The control member support connects the control member to the convergence chamber, thereby ensuring both a mechanical and a fluidic connection between the control member and the convergence chamber. Since the fluid connectors can be disposed on a face of the control member other than the inner face, the control member support must be adapted to ensure that the fluid connectors can be arranged on any face of the control member without causing mechanical interference.The material clearance helps to avoid these mechanical interferences and ensures optimal fixation of the control element against the control element support.

[0028] The invention also covers an automated system for applying a sealing strip to a membrane of a cryogenic fluid transport and / or storage tank, comprising a motorized chassis, an gluing device as described above, a device for applying the sealing strip to the tank membrane, and at least one roller configured to press the sealing strip against the tank membrane. Such a system may correspond to the robot capable of moving along the tank membrane mentioned above. The motorized chassis ensures the autonomous movement of the automated system along the tank membrane.

[0029] After the gluing device applies the fluid mixture segments, the automated system unwinds the waterproof tape over the glue segments. The application device uses a roller to press the sealing strip against the membrane, spreading the adhesive over a large area and ensuring the tank membrane is watertight. The entire sealing strip application process occurs as the automated system moves along the tank membrane. The automated system may include heated pads positioned behind the roller(s) relative to the direction of movement to accelerate the adhesive setting.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a schematic view showing the context of a sealing operation of a membrane for a transport and / or storage tank of a cryogenic fluid,

[0032] [Fig.2] represents an alternative sealing operation context to what is illustrated in [Fig.1],

[0033] [Fig.3] represents an automated tape application system for sealing the tank membrane performing an operation of laying said strip

[0034] [Fig.4] represents in detail the automated system according to the invention, and in particular a gluing device according to the invention,

[0035] [Fig.5] represents in detail a first embodiment of the gluing device,

[0036] [Fig.6] represents a second embodiment of the gluing device,

[0037] [Fig.7] represents a third embodiment of the gluing device,

[0038] [Fig.8] is a front view of a control element support of the device gluing,

[0039] [Fig.9] is a side view of the control element support of the gluing device, as well as a control unit and a fluid connector for the gluing device.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the context of the invention, namely a sealing operation for a tank membrane 3 during the construction of a transport and / or storage tank for a cryogenic fluid. Such a tank comprises at least one membrane ensuring the tank's watertightness and thus meeting the structural requirements of this type of transport and / or storage tank.

[0041] The tank membrane 3 is therefore formed of a plurality of panels 5 assembled together and covered with a waterproof coating. The panels 5 thus assembled can define a shape and a dimension of the tank membrane 3. The assembly of the panels 5, however, forms gaps 6 between said panels 5, and these gaps 6 must themselves also be made watertight. The operation of sealing these gaps 6 therefore consists of laying a strip 4 of waterproof material along each of these gaps 6 in order to close them and ensure a total seal of the tank membrane 3. The panels 5 are for example insulating panels composed of a plywood glued on one side to the insulating polyurethane fiber foam and a waterproof coating glued on the other side.

[0042] Fig. 2 represents an alternative context where the tank membrane 3 is, during the sealing operation, partially covered by an additional membrane 34. Once the sealing operation has been carried out, in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the tank membrane 3 is subsequently completely covered by the additional membrane 34. The additional membrane 34 is formed of a plurality of insulating panels and surmounted by a metallic waterproof membrane not shown.

[0043] The strip 4 can, for example, be fixed against the gaps 6 by gluing, using an automated system 1 for applying the watertight strip 4, as schematically shown in [Fig. 3]. The panels 5 forming the tank membrane 3 are shown here viewed from above. In [Fig. 3], the automated system 1 is schematically represented and will be described in more detail later.

[0044] The automated system 1 can, for example, be a robot that applies adhesive to the panels 5 and places the strip 4 over the panels 5 to close the gaps 6 and thus make the tank membrane 3 completely watertight. To move automatically along the tank membrane 3, the automated system can include a means of locomotion 8, for example, wheels and a motorized chassis 35 (not detailed). If the tank membrane 3 has a vertical wall, the automated system 1 can include a support device (not shown) that allows it to move along the vertical wall without slipping or falling. Furthermore, in the context of [Fig. 2], the automated system 1 must be able to move between two sections of the additional membrane 34. Such movement may be difficult due to the narrowness between the two sections of the additional membrane 34.

[0045] According to the example in [Fig. 3], the automated system 1 moves along the tank membrane 3 in a direction of travel 7. More specifically, the automated system 1 moves over the gap 6 and along its entire length. The role of the automated system is to deposit segments of fluid 9 with adhesive properties onto the panels 5, on either side of the gap 6, and then to apply the strip 4 against these fluid segments 9 in order to adhere the strip 4 to the panels 5 and thus fill the gaps 6 to make the tank membrane 3 perfectly watertight. The automated system 1 can therefore move in all directions along all the gaps 6 of the tank membrane 3 to make it completely watertight.

[0046] In order to ensure optimal sealing, the automated system 1 must lay the sealing strip 4 according to very precise requirements. One of these requirements relates in particular to the distance separating the two fluid segments 9 from each other. The automated system 1 must therefore have structural characteristics that allow it to meet such requirements.

[0047] Figure 4 shows the automated system 1 seen from the side and illustrates the different component elements of said automated system 1. The latter includes the motorized chassis 35 mentioned previously, as well as a gluing device 2, an application device 10 for the waterproof strip 4 and at least one roller 12. The motorized chassis 35 allows the automated system 1 to be controlled remotely, for example via artificial intelligence.

[0048] It is the gluing device 2 which makes it possible to place the fluid segments 9 on the panels 5 of the waterproof membrane 3. To do this, the gluing device 2 includes at least two gluing members 20. In [Fig.4], only one gluing member 20 is illustrated, but there are two gluing members 20 arranged one behind the other, each of the gluing members 20 forming one of the two fluid segments 9 illustrated in [Fig.3] in order to ensure correctly the gluing operation of the waterproof strip 4.

[0049] Each gluing member 20 comprises at least one fluid connector 21 and at least one fluid circulation control member 22, to which the fluid connector 21 is connected. The fluid connector 21 allows a fluid to circulate from a line 47 to the control member 22. The line 47 connected to the fluid connector 21 can, for example, be connected to a fluid reservoir equipped with a pump ensuring the circulation of the fluid, said reservoir and said pump not being shown.

[0050] The control element 22 includes in particular a valve allowing the circulation of the fluid from the fluid connector 21 to be authorized or prohibited. The valve allows the flow rate of the fluid to be metered but also, if there are several fluid connectors in which a different fluid circulates, to regulate a proportion of each of the fluids in order to form fluid segments 9 with optimal adhesive properties.

[0051] The valve is controlled by a valve pilot device, the latter comprising at least one connection 25, which is itself connected to a line 37, as is the fluid connector 21. The line 37 connected to the connection 25 may, for example, be an air or gas line 37 if the valve is a pneumatically actuated valve, or an oil line 37 if the valve is a hydraulically actuated valve. The connection 25 may also be an electrical connection if the valve is an electrically actuated valve.

[0052] Each gluing member 20 may also include a converging chamber 27. The converging chamber 27 is used when several Fluid connectors 21 are connected to a bonding element 20 and circulate a plurality of fluids. These fluids are then mixed within the convergence chamber 27, and it is the resulting fluid mixture that possesses adhesive properties, enabling the bonding of the waterproof strip 4 to the panels 5. In the case of a two-component adhesive, the first fluid can be a resin, while the second fluid is a hardener responsible for triggering a chemical reaction within the resin and possibly also with the hardener. For example, the two-component adhesive can be epoxy or polyurethane.

[0053] Each gluing element 20 also includes a cannula 29, which may, for example, consist of a cylinder through which the fluid or fluid mixture circulates until it exits the cannula 29 and is deposited on the surface of the panels 5. Each cannula 29 may optionally include a static mixer of the multi-stage helical screw type to optimize the mixing of the two fluids mentioned above. In this configuration, the fluid mixture is thus mixed just before being placed on the tank membrane 3. To promote the deposition of the fluid segments 9 on the panels, each cannula 29 is oriented towards the surface of the panels 5. The deposition of the fluid or fluid mixture is continuous and simultaneous with the movement of the automated system 1 along the direction of travel 7, thus forming the fluid segments 9.

[0054] Each gluing element may also include an adjustment device 31, which consists, for example, of a rail 32 and a knob 33. The adjustment device 31 allows each gluing element 20 to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement 7 of the automated system 1. Such a movement of the gluing elements 20 allows them to be brought closer together or, conversely, moved further apart. This also results in the cannulas 29 of each gluing element 20 being moved closer together or further apart, and this is what allows the distance between the two fluid segments 9 mentioned previously to be determined.

[0055] The application device 10 allows the sealing strip 4 to be applied to the panels 5 once the adhesive segments 9 have been deposited on said panels 5. The application device 10 includes, for example, a cylinder 11 of sealing strip 4 which unwinds progressively as the automated system 1 moves. The application device 10 may also include guiding means, not shown, for guiding and correctly positioning the sealing strip 4 over the fluid segments 9.

[0056] Having done this, the roller 12 presses the sealing strip 4 against the fluid segments 9 and the panels 5 in order to complete the operation of gluing the sealing strip 4 by spreading the glue by pressure and to seal the entire tank membrane 3.

[0057] Figures 5, 6, and 7 each represent a different embodiment of the gluing device 2 according to the invention. For each of these figures, a first gluing member 20a and a second gluing member 20b are shown. For clarity, not all elements are referenced for each of the gluing members 20. However, since the two gluing members 20 are structurally identical except for the position of the fluid connectors 21 and the fittings 25, the reference numerals applicable to one of the gluing members 20 will be considered to be also applicable to the other gluing member 20.

[0058] According to an example illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7, each gluing element 20 comprises two fluid connectors 21 and two control elements 22. Each fluid connector 21 allows the circulation of two different fluids which, once mixed together, form the fluid mixture deposited on the panels, as described above. The two fluids can, for example, be a resin, or base, and a hardener. The two control elements 22 thus control each of the fluids to ensure that they are in the correct proportions during the mixing process, so that the resulting mixture exhibits the required adhesive properties.

[0059] Each of the two control members 22 of each gluing member 20 thus comprises its own valve 23 and its own pilot device 24, the latter controlling the valve 23 with which it is in direct contact. Each valve 23 of each control member 22 allows control of the fluid flow from the fluid connector 21 connected to each control member 22, up to the latter.

[0060] For each of the gluing members 20, each control member 22 is fixed to a control member support 26. The support 26 establishes the mechanical and fluidic connection between the control members 22 and the convergence chamber 27. The fluids are subsequently mixed in the convergence chamber 27. Each gluing member 20 also includes a fixing member 28 ensuring the mechanical and fluidic connection between the convergence chamber 27 and the cannula 29.

[0061] As previously described, the adjustment device 31 comprises the rail 32 on which each of the gluing elements 20 is arranged. It is also possible for each gluing element 20 to be arranged on its own rail 32. The knob 33 is located on each of the gluing elements 20 and allows, for example, the position of the gluing element 20 to be locked by tightening its corresponding knob 33. Unscrewing either of the knobs 33 allows each gluing element 20 to be moved along the rail 32. The adjustment device 31 thus allows a distance 30 to be set between the cannulas 29 and, by analogy, between the fluid segments formed by the deposition of the fluid mixture flowing through the cannulas 29.

[0062] The adjustment device 31 is suitable for fixing the distance 30 at 110 mm between the cannulas 29, the distance 30 being able to increase up to 190 mm by implementing the Adjustment device 31. The distance 30 of 190 mm corresponds to a bandwidth of approximately 250 mm. A distance 30 of 110 mm between the cannulas 29 corresponds, by analogy, to a distance of 110 mm between the fluid segments mentioned previously. A distance of 110 mm is a recommended construction method for the airtight membrane. It is therefore important that the adjustment device 31 can be adjusted to achieve a distance of 110 mm between the cannulas 29. For each of Figures 5, 6, and 7, the distance 30 will be considered to be 110 mm.

[0063] Each pair of control members 22 of each gluing member 20 comprises four faces, said faces being common to both control members or corresponding to only one face of a single control member 22. The four faces correspond to an inner face 41, an outer face 42, an upper face 43 and a lower face 44. The inner face 41 and the outer face 42 are relative only to a single control member 22 of each gluing member 20, while the upper face 43 and the lower face 44 may be common to both control members 22 of each gluing member 20.

[0064] The inner face 41 is defined as the face of one of the gluing members 20 oriented towards the other gluing member 20. Thus, the inner face 41 of the first gluing member 20a corresponds to the face oriented towards the second gluing member 20b, and the inner face 41 of the second gluing member 20b corresponds to the face oriented towards the first gluing member 20a. The outer face 42 corresponds to the face parallel and opposite to the inner face 41 of each of the gluing members 20. The lower face 44 corresponds to the face oriented towards the tank membrane on which the automated system moves, while the upper face 43 corresponds to the face parallel and opposite to the lower face 44.

[0065] The fluid connectors 21 form a relatively large volume because they have an opening section ensuring the circulation of the fluid from each of the pipes 37. The fluid connectors 21 must however be arranged so that a distance 30 of 110 mm can be set via the setting device 31.

[0066] According to the first embodiment of the gluing device 2 illustrated in [Fig. 5], all the fluid connectors 21 of the two gluing members 20 are arranged on the upper face 43 of its respective control member 22. Thus, according to this first embodiment of the gluing device 2, the fluid connectors 21 of each gluing member 20 are all arranged on the same face, here the upper face 43. Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to use the adjustment device 31 to obtain a distance 30 of 110 mm between the cannulas 29.

[0067] The entire set of fluid connectors 21 being arranged here on the upper face 43 From each control unit 22, the lines 37 connected to the fluid connectors 21 extend along the upper face 43. In order to avoid mechanical interference with these lines 37, it is important to arrange the connections 25 of the pilot devices 24 on a face other than the upper face 43. As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the connections are arranged on the inner face 41 and the outer face 42 of each of the gluing units 20. Since the connections 25 have a smaller volume than the fluid connectors 21, it is not problematic to arrange them on each of the inner faces 41 of each gluing unit 20, as the distance 30 of 110 mm can still be maintained via the adjustment device 31.

[0068] Figure 6 represents a second embodiment of the gluing device 2 according to the invention. As mentioned previously, compared to the first embodiment, only the position of the fluid connectors 21 and that of the connections 25 differ. Therefore, reference should be made to what has been described previously for structural characteristics other than the position of the fluid connectors 21 and the connections 25.

[0069] According to the second embodiment, at the first gluing member 20a, one of the fluid connectors 21 is arranged on the outer face 42 while the other fluid connector 21 is arranged on the upper face 43. This is thus a configuration where the fluid connectors 21 of the first gluing member 20a are arranged on faces that intersect each other. As with the first embodiment, the connections 25 must not mechanically interfere with the conduits 37. Thus, the connections 25 of the control device 24 relating to the fluid connector 21 arranged on the outer face 42 are arranged on the upper face 43, while the connections 25 of the control device 24 relating to the fluid connector 21 arranged on the upper face 43 are arranged on the inner face 4L

[0070] At the level of the second gluing member 20b, one of the fluid connectors 21 is located on the upper face 43, while the other fluid connector 21 is located on the lower face 44, hence the representation of said fluid connector in dashed lines. This is thus a configuration where the fluid connectors 21 of the second gluing member 20b are arranged on faces parallel to each other. The connections 25 must also not mechanically interfere with the conduits 37 for this second gluing member 20b. Thus, the connections 25 of the pilot device 24 relating to the fluid connector 21 arranged on the upper face 43 are arranged on the inner face 41, while the connections 25 of the pilot device 24 relating to the fluid connector 21 arranged on the lower face 44 are arranged on the outer face 42.

[0071] Figure 7 represents a third embodiment of the gluing device 2, which also differs from the two previous embodiments only by the position of the fluid connectors 21 and the connections 25.

[0072] According to the third embodiment, at the level of the first gluing member 20a, one of the fluid connectors 21 is disposed on the external face 42 while the other fluid connector 21 is disposed on the internal face 41. This is thus a configuration where the fluid connectors 21 of the first gluing member 20a are disposed on faces parallel to each other.

[0073] At the level of the second gluing member 20b, one of the fluid connectors 21 is arranged on the lower face 44, hence the representation of said fluid connector in dotted lines, while the other fluid connector 21 is arranged on the external face 42. This is thus a configuration where the fluid connectors 21 of the second gluing member 20b are arranged on faces intersecting each other.

[0074] Whether at the level of the first gluing member 20a or the second gluing member 20b, no fluid connector 21 is arranged on the upper face 43 of either of the gluing members 20. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.7], the set of connections 25 of the gluing device 2 is arranged on the upper face 43 of the control member 22 to which each connection 25 is specific.

[0075] The third embodiment also allows for the possibility of having a fluid connector 21 on the inner face 41 of one of the gluing members 20 when the cannulas 29 are separated by a distance 30 of 110 mm. Thus, the gluing device 2 according to the invention can include a fluid connector 21 on the inner face 41 of one of the gluing members 20, but only if the other gluing member 20 does not include a fluid connector 21 on its own inner face 4L

[0076] Figures 8 and 9 respectively show a front view and a side view of the control element support 26 integrated into the gluing device 2 according to the invention. As shown in the three embodiments described above, the fluid connectors can be arranged on the upper and / or lower face of each control element of each gluing element. However, the fluid connectors have a volume such that they can mechanically interfere with the control element support 26 during their installation. The fluid element support 26 must therefore be adapted to overcome this problem of mechanical interference.

[0077] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the control element support 26 provides the mechanical and fluidic connection between the control elements and the convergence chamber. As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the support 26 therefore comprises two or Openings 45, each of these openings 45 being positioned opposite each of the control elements of each gluing element in order to ensure the fluidic connection between the control elements and the convergence chamber. The support 26 also includes a plurality of fastening means 46 enabling the mechanical connection between the control elements and the convergence chamber, for example via one or more screws.

[0078] By observing [Fig.9], it is possible to observe that the support 26 has a material clearance 48 along two of its edges, where the fastening means 46 are arranged. This material clearance allows the fluid connectors 21 to be positioned when they are arranged on the upper face, as illustrated in [Fig.9], or the lower face of the control element 22. The material clearance 48 thus avoids mechanical interference between the fluid connectors 21 and the control element support 26.

[0079] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0080] The invention, as described above, achieves its intended purpose and provides a bonding device capable of depositing segments of fluid with adhesive properties separated by a distance appropriate to the construction requirements of a transport and / or storage tank for a cryogenic fluid. Variations not described here could be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they include a bonding device conforming to the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Bonding device (2) for an automated system (1) for applying tape (4) for sealing a tank membrane (3) for transporting and / or storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising at least two bonding members (20), each of the bonding members (20) comprising two fluid connectors (21), at least one control member (22) for the flow of fluids from each of the fluid connectors (21), a convergence chamber (27) configured to mix the two fluids flowing from the control member (22) and a cannula (29) configured to deposit the fluid mixture onto said tank membrane (3), the control member (22) of each bonding member (20) comprising an inner face (41) oriented towards the other bonding member (20), an outer face (42) parallel and opposite to the inner face (41),an upper face (43) and a lower face (44) parallel to each other and perpendicular at least to one and / or the other of the inner face (41) or to the outer face (42), characterized in that the fluid connectors (21) of at least one of the gluing members (20) are connected to the upper face (43) and / or to the lower face (44) and / or to the outer face (42) of the control member (22) of said gluing member (20).

2. A gluing device (2) according to claim 1, wherein each of the gluing members (20) includes an adjustment device (31) for modifying a distance (30) between the cannula (29) of each of the gluing members (20), said adjustment device (31) being capable of adjusting the distance (30) between the cannulas (29) of the gluing device (2) according to a minimum distance of 110 mm.

3. Bonding device (2) according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment device (31) is capable of modifying the distance (30) between the cannulas (29) between 110 mm and 190 mm.

4. Bonding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid connectors (21) are connected on the same face of the control member (22) of at least one of the bonding members (20).

5. Bonding device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the two fluid connectors (21) of at least one of the bonding members (20) is connected on opposite faces of the control member (22).

6. Bonding device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the two fluid connectors (21) of at least one of the bonding members (20) is connected on a face intersecting each other of the control member (22).

7. Bonding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member (22) of each bonding member (20) comprises a valve (23) configured to control the flow of fluids and a pilot device (24) controlling said valve (23).

8. Bonding device (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the valve (23) is a pneumatic valve.

9. Bonding device (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pilot device (24) comprises at least one connection (25), said connection (25) being connected on a face of the control member (22) perpendicular or parallel to at least the face where the fluid connectors (21) are connected.

10. Bonding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each bonding member (20) comprises at least one control member (26) support (22) disposed between the control member (22) and the convergence chamber (27), the control member (26) support (22) comprising at least one material clearance (48) in which at least one of the fluid connectors (21) extends.

11. Automated system (1) for applying a sealing strip (4) against a tank membrane (3) for transporting and / or storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising a motorized frame (35), a gluing device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, a device for applying the sealing strip (4) to the tank membrane (3) and at least one roller (12) configured to press the sealing strip (4) against the tank membrane (3).