System and method for depositing adhesive for assembling a liquefied gas tank wall

The adhesive deposition system addresses assembly challenges by adapting to varying block distances, enabling efficient and uniform adhesive distribution for liquefied gas tank walls, thus shortening assembly time and ensuring a flat surface for the primary waterproofing membrane.

FR3163995A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-01-02GAZTRANSPORT & TECHNIGAZ SA
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024007060
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-28
Publication Date
2026-01-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The assembly of liquefied gas tank walls is hindered by manufacturing tolerances that complicate the installation of rails and precise adhesive application, leading to long manual gluing steps and non-homogeneous adhesive distribution.

Method used

An adhesive deposition system with a chassis that adapts to varying distances between insulating blocks, using independent rolling elements and nozzles to distribute adhesive continuously and homogeneously along the tank wall, avoiding the need for rails and compensating for uneven surfaces.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates faster and more uniform adhesive application, reducing assembly time and ensuring a flat surface for the primary waterproofing membrane, despite manufacturing tolerances.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

System and method for applying adhesive to the assembly of a liquefied gas tank wall. The invention relates to an adhesive application system (50) for assembling a tank wall (1) comprising a sealing membrane (24) and insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) arranged on the sealing membrane (24) to form a channel (12). The system (50) comprises: - a frame (59), - a nozzle (52), - first and second rolling elements (53) configured to roll on the lateral walls (114, 134) of insulating blocks (11, 13) facing each other respectively in a first part of the channel (12) and in a second part of the channel (12), and - means for bearing the first rolling elements (53) against the lateral walls (114, 134) in the first part of the channel (12), independent of any means of the support of the second rolling elements (54) against the side walls (154, 174) in the second part of the corridor (12). (Figure 2)
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Description

Title of the invention: System and method for depositing adhesive for assembling a liquefied gas tank wall

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tanks for gases in the liquid state, for example liquefied natural gas (LNG), particularly for maritime or river transport or for an onshore reservoir. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and a method for depositing adhesive for assembling a wall of a tank intended to receive liquefied gas.

[0002] Liquefied gas transport tanks have a capacity of several thousand cubic meters of liquid gas each, or even several tens of thousands of cubic meters. Liquefied gas transport vessels have holds specifically designed to accommodate these tanks, their holds often being divided into several tanks. Such a tank can also be constructed outside a ship for onshore storage of liquefied natural gas.

[0003] The gas is kept in these transport or storage tanks in a liquid state, for example at -163°C (degrees Celsius) for LNG, at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, these tanks must be leak-proof and thermally insulated.

[0004] To achieve this, the walls of such a tank each comprise: - a primary, sealed metallic membrane, intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas in the tank, - a primary insulation layer comprising insulating materials, placed beneath the primary waterproof membrane, - a secondary waterproof metallic or composite membrane, placed under the primary insulation layer, and - a secondary insulation layer, placed under the waterproof secondary membrane and resting for example on an internal bulkhead of a ship's hull.

[0005] To facilitate the installation of these walls which together form the tank, the latter being for example of parallelepiped shape, each wall is assembled in pieces on its support, which is for example the internal bulkhead of the ship's hull.

[0006] Figure 1 shows such a tank wall during assembly. The wall extends mainly along a longitudinal direction Y and a transverse direction X, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y, and in thickness along a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y and the transverse direction X. It is assumed here that the wall is a bottom wall arranged horizontally on the lower bulkhead 3 of a ship's hull, but the other walls are assembled in the same way as this bottom wall.

[0007] In the remainder of the patent application, the term "transverse" means along the transverse direction and the term "longitudinal" means along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the terms "upper" and "lower" relate to the vertical direction, the term "vertical" meaning along the vertical direction, that is, perpendicular to the tank wall in question and oriented towards the interior of the tank. The terms "above," "below," "upper," "lower," "down," and "up" refer to this vertical direction.

[0008] A secondary insulation layer 20 of the wall comprises a first thermal insulation block 21 bonded to the lower bulkhead 3 of the ship's hull, and a second thermal insulation block 23 also bonded to the lower bulkhead 3 and adjacent to the first thermal insulation block 21. Of course, the secondary insulation layer 20 comprises many more than two thermal insulation blocks and is only partially represented here. An insulating material 22, for example glass wool, is inserted between the two thermal insulation blocks 21, 23 of the secondary insulation layer 20 to fill the gaps present between the thermal insulation blocks 21, 23. The glass wool 22 thus forms a thermally insulating seal between the lower partition 3 and a secondary sealing membrane 24 of the wall, bonded to the thermal insulation blocks 21, 23 of the secondary insulation layer 20.

[0009] The secondary sealing membrane 24 is also made up of several pieces. Some pieces are rigid composite sheets 240, each pre-bonded to a thermal insulation block 21, 23 of the secondary insulation layer 20 before the tank wall is assembled. Other pieces are flexible composite sheets 244 bonded across two adjacent thermal insulation blocks of the secondary insulation layer 20, such as thermal insulation blocks 21, 23, to seal the secondary sealing membrane 24 between these two adjacent thermal insulation blocks.

[0010] A primary insulation layer 10 of the wall comprises a first insulating block 11 supplied pre-bonded to a rigid composite sheet 240 of the secondary waterproofing membrane 24, above the first thermal insulation block 21 of the secondary insulation layer 20, and a second insulating block 13 supplied pre-bonded to a rigid composite sheet 240 of the secondary waterproofing membrane 24, above the second thermal insulation block 23 of the secondary insulation layer 20. These insulating blocks 11, 13 of the primary insulation layer 10 are smaller in size than the thermal insulation blocks 21, 23 of the secondary insulation layer 20. A thermally insulating panel 18 is provided to fill each void formed between the insulating blocks 11, 13 of the primary insulation layer 10 to complete it, the panel 18 in particular overlapping the insulation 22.

[0011] To fix this panel 18, a layer of glue 19 of constant thickness is applied to the underside of the panel 18, then the panel is placed with this layer of glue 19 against a portion of the secondary sealing membrane 24 located between the insulating blocks 11, 13 of the primary insulation layer 10.

[0012] The assembly of the tank wall therefore requires a first step of bonding flexible composite sheets 244 onto portions of rigid composite sheets 240 pre-bonded onto adjacent thermal insulation blocks of the secondary insulation layer, to complete the secondary sealing membrane 24, and a second step of bonding panels 18 between the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer, onto the completed secondary sealing membrane 24.

[0013] These gluing steps are long because they are currently carried out manually, with an operator having to apply glue to the rigid composite sheets 240 during the first gluing step, before laying the flexible composite sheets 244, and then glue each panel 18 before its insertion between two insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer 10 during the second gluing step.

[0014] The inventors considered automating these steps to shorten the assembly time of the tank wall and to homogenize the application of the adhesive along the tank wall during assembly. However, this automation is hampered by the assembly and manufacturing tolerances between the different elements of the tank wall.

[0015] In particular, the distances between adjacent insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer 10 are not strictly identical along the transverse direction X or the longitudinal direction Y, which complicates the installation of rails above the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer 10 for a machine to move along. These differences in distance also make it difficult to center a layer of adhesive formed by the machine above the insulating joint 22.

[0016] There is therefore a need for a system to make the deposition of glue faster and more homogeneous for the bonding of flexible composite sheets or for the bonding of panels between the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer.

[0017] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks by providing an adhesive deposition system and an adhesive deposition method, which adapt to the different distances between the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer and thus allow a continuous distribution of adhesive along the wall of the tank being assembled, directly onto the rigid composite sheets or onto the flexible composite sheets, with a view to laying flexible composite sheets on the rigid composite sheets or insulating panels on the secondary sealing membrane, between the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer.

[0018] To this end, the invention proposes an adhesive deposition system for assembling a tank wall intended to contain liquefied gas, the tank wall being assembly comprising at least a portion of a secondary insulation layer covered with pieces of a secondary sealing membrane, and insulating blocks of a primary insulation layer intended to be covered with a primary sealing membrane configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer being arranged on pieces of the secondary sealing membrane and separated by channels, the adhesive deposition system comprising: - a chassis configured to move along one of the corridors, the chassis comprising a first part and a second part configured to be one behind the other in the corridor, - at least one nozzle fixed to the chassis and capable of distributing adhesive onto sections of the secondary waterproofing membrane in the corridor, - the first rolling elements supported by the first part of the chassis and configured to roll on the side walls of insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer, the side walls being opposite each other, and - second rolling elements supported by the second part of the chassis and configured to roll on the side walls in the corridor, the glue deposition system being characterized in that it further comprises first means for bearing the first rolling elements against the side walls in a first part of the corridor, and second means for bearing the second rolling elements against the side walls in a second part of the corridor, the first means of bearing being capable of operating independently of the second means of bearing,The first support means are capable of adapting a gap between the first rolling elements according to a first width of the corridor in the first part of the corridor, and the second support means are capable of adapting a gap between the second rolling elements according to a second width of the corridor in the second part of the corridor.

[0019] The pieces of the secondary waterproofing membrane may include, for example, only the rigid composite sheets of the prior art, in the case where the invention is used to deposit glue on these rigid composite sheets to glue flexible composite sheets of the secondary waterproofing membrane to them, or they may form the entire secondary waterproofing membrane in the case where the invention is used to deposit glue on the secondary waterproofing membrane to glue insulating panels of the primary insulation layer to them.

[0020] The side walls of insulating blocks facing each other in the first part of the corridor can be identical to the side walls of insulating blocks facing each other in the second part of the corridor, for example at the beginning of a The use of the adhesive deposition system occurs when the first and second sections of the corridor are formed by two identical insulating blocks at one end of the portion of the secondary insulation layer. Depending on the progress of the adhesive deposition system and its position within the corridor, the side walls of insulating blocks facing each other in the first section of the corridor may be first side walls, distinct from second side walls of insulating blocks facing each other in the second section of the corridor, when the insulating blocks of the first section of the corridor are distinct from the insulating blocks of the second section of the corridor.

[0021] The corridors between the insulating blocks can form a grid. It is understood that the glue deposition system is dimensioned so that the first rolling elements can roll on the side walls of insulating blocks in the first part of the corridor simultaneously with the rolling of the second rolling elements on the side walls of insulating blocks in the second part of the corridor, despite a possible space between the insulating blocks in the first part of the corridor and the insulating blocks in the second part of the corridor.It is further understood that the first part of the corridor designates, unless otherwise stated, a part of the corridor on which the first rolling elements roll, as opposed to the second part of the corridor designating a part of the corridor on which the second rolling elements roll, these designations referring to different pieces of side walls of insulating blocks as the adhesive deposition system rolls.

[0022] The first and second rolling elements include, for example, wheels or tracks.

[0023] Thanks to the invention, the rolling system according to the invention does not require rails because it rests directly between and against the insulating blocks to distribute glue between these insulating blocks. This configuration allows it to avoid rolling on the surface to be glued.

[0024] Furthermore, thanks to the independence of the first and second support means, the rolling system does not tilt between the first and second parts of the corridor when the distance between the insulating blocks in the first part of the corridor differs from the distance between the insulating blocks in the second part of the corridor. This therefore facilitates continuous movement of the adhesive application system, without operator intervention, and thus ensures a homogeneous distribution of the adhesive between the insulating blocks.

[0025] According to an optional and advantageous feature of the invention, the first part and the second part of the chassis are connected by a pivot joint with a pivot axis orthogonal to a rolling direction of the glue deposition system, the pivot axis being configured to be positioned orthogonally to the side walls of the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer.

[0026] The frame is therefore in two parts, at least one of which can be folded down by pivoting. This allows for greater flexibility in controlling the positioning and movement of the adhesive application system. In particular, when the nozzle(s) are fixed to only one of the two parts of the frame, this configuration allows the nozzles to more easily access the sections of the secondary sealing membrane located at the ends of the portion of the secondary insulation layer. Simply folding down the part of the frame without the nozzle(s) allows them to approach as closely as possible to one of these ends.

[0027] Since the first and second support means are independent, pivoting of one of the chassis parts is made possible by deactivating the first or second support means, while the second or respectively the first support means remain activated and allow the distribution of glue by the nozzle(s) without the glue deposition system moving out of its operating position.

[0028] It is recalled that this operating position is away from the pieces of the secondary sealing membrane, the glue deposition system being designed not to roll over these pieces of the secondary sealing membrane.

[0029] The first part of the chassis extending in the direction of travel, from a first distal end to the pivot joint to a second proximal end to the pivot joint, the nozzle is preferably fixed to the chassis at a distance closer to the second end than to the first end. By way of example, this distance is between 5 and 15 cm.

[0030] This distance is defined so that the glue distributed by the nozzle(s) reaches the edge of a piece of secondary sealing membrane delimiting one end of the portion of secondary insulation layer, when the part of the chassis not having the nozzle(s) is folded down.

[0031] Alternatively, the position of the nozzle(s) on the first part of the chassis is modifiable, the first part of the chassis comprising a sliding element on which the nozzle(s) are able to slide, or several predefined fixing locations on which the nozzle(s) are able to be fixed.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the first rolling elements and the second rolling elements each comprise at least two tracks, of lengths strictly greater than a distance between two insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer arranged opposite each other in the direction of travel.

[0033] The first rolling elements on the one hand, and the second rolling elements on the other hand, therefore comprise at least two tracks, the direction The main extension of each of the two tracks is configured to be oriented parallel to the direction of travel of the glue deposition system. Each track has a tread configured to come into contact with one of the side walls of insulating blocks facing each other in the corridor, and at least two rollers arranged opposite each other in the tread, one of the rollers having the function of a sprocket, i.e. it is capable of driving the tread in rotation.

[0034] This embodiment of the rolling elements allows the adhesive application system to easily traverse the channels intersecting the channel in which the adhesive application system moves. The length of each track is preferably strictly greater than the distance between two insulating blocks placed opposite each other in the direction of travel, and strictly greater than the distance between two insulating blocks placed opposite each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. Thus, the adhesive application system can move smoothly through all the channels of the grid formed by the insulating blocks on the secondary waterproofing membrane.

[0035] The glue deposition system according to the invention further preferably comprises drive means fixed to the frame and capable of rotating the first and second bearing elements. These drive means may optionally use transmission means such as a belt, a chain, or a gear.

[0036] The drive means comprise, for example, a first electric motor capable of rotating the first rolling elements, and a second electric motor, which can be activated independently of the first electric motor, capable of rotating the second rolling elements. The glue application system comprises, for example, means for cutting off the power supply to the second electric motor, independent of the power supply means for the first electric motor. Thus, when the second part of the chassis is folded down at the end of the portion of secondary insulation layer, the second rolling elements are no longer set in motion, while the first rolling elements continue to drive the glue application system.

[0037] Furthermore, the first means of support comprise, for example, at least one first spring or hydraulic cylinder capable of exerting a clamping force against the first rolling elements, and the second means of support comprise at least one second spring or hydraulic cylinder capable of exerting a clamping force against the second rolling elements, the glue application system further comprising first means for extending and retracting the first spring or hydraulic cylinder and second means of extension and retraction of the second spring or hydraulic cylinder.

[0038] The first and second support means are preferably adapted to keep the adhesive deposition system away from the pieces of secondary sealing membrane. In other words, when the tank wall is a bottom wall of the tank, the first and second support means exert pressure on the opposing side walls of the insulating blocks, sufficient to counteract the weight of the adhesive deposition system. This counteracting pressure can be exerted by the first support means only or by the second support means only, given that one part of the frame is hinged.

[0039] Alternatively, this compensation is partially achieved by auxiliary chassis support means on the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer. These auxiliary means then form part of the adhesive deposition system according to the invention. They may, for example, be wheels moving on the upper surface of the insulating blocks. These auxiliary means include, for example, means for holding the blocks on the upper surface of the insulating blocks to form the side walls of the tank or a tank wall forming a tank ceiling. They may be wheels moving on rails or grooves formed by the edges of the upper surfaces of the insulating blocks.

[0040] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive deposition system includes positioning means adapted to position the first and second bearing elements at the same distance from the pieces of the secondary sealing membrane. These positioning means thus make it possible to position the adhesive deposition system parallel to the pieces of secondary sealing membrane, which facilitates a homogeneous distribution of the adhesive on these pieces of secondary sealing membrane.

[0041] When the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer each have a top plate, the positioning means are, for example, grooved wheels, each grooved wheel being configured to roll along an edge of a top plate of the insulating block, engaging that edge in its groove. It is understood that the dimension of the groove is substantially equal to the dimension of one thickness of the top plate, the grooved wheel being configured to roll along an edge of the top plate on its edge.

[0042] Grooved wheels include, for example, first grooved wheels coupled to the first support means and second grooved wheels coupled to the second support means. It should be noted that these grooved wheels can to develop auxiliary means of compensating for the weight of the glue deposition system, as mentioned above.

[0043] Thus, activating the first or second support means respectively positions the first or second grooved wheels on the edges of the upper plates of the insulating blocks facing each other in the first or second part of the corridor. Similarly, deactivating the first or second support means respectively disengages the first or second grooved wheels from the edges of the upper plates of the insulating blocks facing each other in the first or second part of the corridor.

[0044] The first and second means of support operating independently, the second grooved wheels are able to be disengaged from the insulating blocks facing each other in the second part of the corridor when the second part of the chassis is folded down, without disengaging the first grooved wheels from the insulating blocks facing each other in the first part of the corridor.

[0045] According to another optional and advantageous feature of the glue deposition system according to the invention, it comprises a first nozzle suitable for distributing glue onto pieces of the secondary sealing membrane at a first flow rate, and a second nozzle suitable for distributing glue onto pieces of the secondary sealing membrane at a second flow rate, the first nozzle and the second nozzle being fixed to the chassis at a distance from each other with respect to a median axis of the glue deposition system, parallel to a direction of travel of the glue deposition system.

[0046] This embodiment of the adhesive deposition system ensures a homogeneous distribution of adhesive between the insulating blocks. The adhesive deposition system preferably includes means for regulating the first and second flow rates, capable of independently regulating the first flow rate from the second. These regulating means include, for example, a flow control valve per nozzle. Thus, the adhesive deposition system is able to deposit a greater quantity of adhesive opposite one of the thermal insulation blocks than opposite the other. This compensates for differences in the positioning of the thermal insulation blocks parallel to the tank wall. Indeed, these different quantities of adhesive allow for the formation of a horizontally horizontal top layer of adhesive.The insulating panel, then placed on this layer of adhesive between the insulating blocks located above the thermal insulation blocks of the secondary insulation layer, forms, together with the insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer, a flat surface suitable for receiving the primary waterproofing membrane.

[0047] The adhesive application system according to the invention comprises, for example, several first nozzles adapted to be positioned opposite the first thermal insulation block, and several second nozzles adapted to be positioned opposite the second thermal insulation block. The first nozzles are then adapted to distribute the adhesive onto the pieces of the secondary waterproofing membrane at the first flow rate or at different flow rates. Similarly, the second nozzles are then adapted to distribute the adhesive onto the pieces of the secondary waterproofing membrane at the second flow rate or at different flow rates. In this way, it is possible to precisely compensate for any unevenness, whether indentations or bumps, potentially formed by the pieces of secondary waterproofing membrane.

[0048] The invention also relates to a method of depositing glue for the assembly of a tank wall intended to contain liquefied gas, the tank wall being assembled comprising at least a portion of a secondary insulation layer covered with pieces of a secondary sealing membrane, and insulating blocks of a primary insulation layer intended to be covered with a primary sealing membrane configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the insulating blocks being arranged on pieces of the secondary sealing membrane and separated by channels, the method of depositing glue using a glue deposition system according to the invention, in which the first part and the second part of the frame are connected by a pivot joint with pivot axis orthogonal to a rolling direction of the glue deposition system,and configured to be positioned orthogonally to the lateral walls of the insulating blocks facing each other in one of the corridors, the adhesive application process includes the following steps: , - insertion of the frame between opposing insulating block side walls in the corridor, - positioning of the chassis relative to the pieces of secondary sealing membrane, - the first and second rolling elements are supported against the side walls in the corridor, the first means of support adjusting a gap between the first rolling elements to a first width of the corridor in a first part of the corridor and the second means of support adjusting a gap between the second rolling elements to a second width of the corridor in a second part of the corridor, - distribution of glue by the nozzle and movement of the glue deposition system according to the direction of travel, the distribution and movement stage comprising, when the second part of the chassis reaches one end of the portion of secondary insulation layer, the deactivation of the second means of support and the pivoting of the second part of the chassis relative to the first part of the chassis.

[0049] The positioning of the chassis uses, for example, grooved wheels from the glue deposition system.

[0050] According to an optional and advantageous feature of the glue deposition process according to the invention, when the nozzle reaches a crossing between two lanes, the glue distribution step is interrupted or includes a step of reducing by half the flow rate of glue delivered by the nozzle, during the entire passage of the crossing by the nozzle, the glue distribution step being resumed after this passage with a flow rate of glue identical to that delivered by the nozzle before this passage.

[0051] When this characteristic corresponds to a halving of the adhesive flow rate when passing over a crossing between two lanes, it is, for example, implemented at each crossing by the adhesive deposition system according to the invention in all the lanes it traverses between the insulating blocks. Thus, when the adhesive deposition system has made two passes over a crossing in two directions of travel orthogonal to each other, traversing two orthogonal lanes, the adhesive distributed per unit area in this crossing is in the same proportion as in the other lanes traversed.

[0052] Of course, halving the glue flow rate corresponds to a reduction of approximately half the flow rate of each nozzle in the glue application system, since the nozzles preferentially adjust their flow rate according to the contours formed by the pieces of sealing membrane beneath them. Similarly, after passing through the crossover point, the glue flow rate of each nozzle is substantially identical to that delivered by the nozzle before this crossover point, with adjustments made to compensate for the contours formed by the pieces of sealing membrane beneath the nozzles.

[0053] When this feature corresponds to an interruption in the adhesive distribution during the passage through a crossing between two lanes, it is, for example, implemented at each crossing by the adhesive deposition system according to the invention in the lanes it travels along in a first direction of travel between the insulating blocks. In this embodiment of the invention, this feature is not implemented when the adhesive deposition system travels through lanes in a second direction of travel orthogonal to the first direction of travel. Thus, when the adhesive deposition system has made two passes over a crossing in two directions of travel orthogonal to each other while traversing two orthogonal lanes, the adhesive distributed per unit area in this crossing is in the same proportion as in the other lanes traversed.

[0054] According to another optional and advantageous feature of the glue deposition process according to the invention, when the channel is a first channel, the tank wall in assembly course comprising a second corridor orthogonal to the first corridor, the second corridor separating the first part of the first corridor from the second part of the first corridor or the second part of the first corridor from a third part of the first corridor, and when the first rolling elements or the second rolling elements pass through the second corridor, the glue deposition process comprises a further step of supporting the first rolling elements or respectively the second rolling elements against the side walls in the first corridor, the first means of support adjusting a gap between the first rolling elements to the second width of the first corridor in the second part of the first corridor or respectively the second means of support adjusting a gap between the second rolling elements to a third width of the first corridor in the third part of the first corridor.

[0055] It is understood that the second corridor is located between the first part of the first corridor and the second part of the first corridor, or respectively between the second part of the first corridor and the third part of the first corridor. This feature is implemented, for example, when the second part of the first corridor is narrower than the first part of the first corridor, or respectively when the third part of the first corridor is narrower than the second part of the first corridor. In this case, the new support step is, for example, immediately preceded by a deactivation step of the first support means or respectively of the second support means, which are then reactivated during this new support step.

[0056] The glue distribution step is preferably followed by an insulating panel placement step between the insulating blocks, in which the insulating panels are pressed against a layer of glue formed by the nozzle on the secondary sealing membrane during the glue distribution step.

[0057] 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:

[0058] [Fig.1], already discussed in relation to the prior art, illustrates in cross-section along a vertical and transverse plane, the installation between two insulating blocks of a panel of a tank wall intended to contain liquefied gas, the panel and the insulating blocks forming part of a primary insulation layer of the wall being assembled, the wall also comprising a secondary insulation layer and a secondary sealing membrane already assembled,

[0059] [Fig.2] shows, in perspective, a portion of a tank wall during assembly, the tank wall being identical to that of [Fig.1], and an adhesive deposition system according to the invention, in a first configuration in which it evolves, unfolded, between insulating blocks of the primary insulation layer of the tank wall, in an embodiment of the invention,

[0060] [Fig.3] shows in cross-section the portion of the tank wall of [Fig.2], and seen from the side, the glue deposition system of [Fig.2] positioned between the insulating blocks of the portion of the tank wall, the glue deposition system always being in the first configuration, in which the first and second bearing elements of the glue deposition system are supported against the side walls of the insulating blocks,

[0061] [Fig.4] represents a second configuration of the glue deposition system by in relation to [Fig.3], in which the first rolling elements, supported by a first part of the adhesive deposition system in the background of [Fig.4], are supported against the side walls of the insulating blocks while the second rolling elements, supported by a second part of the adhesive deposition system in the foreground of [Fig.4], are held away from the side walls of the insulating blocks,

[0062] [Fig.5] represents in perspective a third configuration of the deposition system of glue compared to figures 2 to 4, in which the second part of the glue deposition system is raised vertically relative to the first part of the glue deposition system,

[0063] [Fig.6] shows in perspective an enlargement of part of the deposition system of glue in the third configuration of [Fig.5], viewed in the opposite direction to that of [Fig.5],

[0064] [Fig.7] shows, side view, the third configuration of the deposition system glue of [Fig. 5], making more visible in the foreground of [Fig. 5], the second part folded relative to the first part of the glue deposition system, as well as the second bearing elements of this second part, and

[0065] [Fig.8] represents steps in a glue deposition process according to the invention, using the glue deposition system of figures 2 to 7, in one embodiment of the invention.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 2], an adhesive deposition system 50 according to the invention is used to distribute adhesive onto a secondary sealing membrane 24 of a tank wall 1 identical to the tank wall of [Fig. 1]. As a result, the elements identical to the tank wall 1 of [Fig. 2] and to the tank wall of [Fig. 1] are referenced identically.

[0067] The orthonormal trihedron (X, Y, Z) of [Fig.2] is also identical to that of [Fig.1] and arranged in the same way with respect to the tank walls of these figures.

[0068] In this example of use of the invention, the glue distributed by the glue application system 50 is subsequently used to fix panels 18 between blocks insulators 11, 13, 15, 17 of the primary insulation layer 10. As a result, flexible composite sheets 244 have already been laid on the rigid composite sheets 240 of the secondary sealing membrane 24, which is therefore completely assembled on this [Fig.2].

[0069] This example of use of the invention is however transposable to another example of use of the invention in which the glue distributed by the glue deposition system 50 is then used to glue the flexible composite sheets 244 onto the rigid composite sheets 240 of the secondary sealing membrane 24.

[0070] For the sake of simplicity, in this example of use of the invention, it is further assumed that the tank wall 1 is a bottom wall of the tank, so that the vertical direction Z corresponds to a vertical direction directed upwards from the tank. However, the invention is applicable to the case where the tank wall is a side wall or a ceiling wall of the tank, in which case the vertical direction Z should be understood more generally as perpendicular to the tank wall in question and oriented from the tank wall towards the interior of the tank.

[0071] The insulating blocks 11, 13, 15, 17 of the primary insulation layer 10 are all structurally identical and each comprises a block 110, 130, 150, and 170 respectively of polyurethane foam, onto which is bonded a top panel 112, 132, 152, and 172 respectively of plywood. Other materials are of course possible for the production of the insulating blocks 11, 13, 15, 17.

[0072] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the insulating blocks 11, 13, 15, 17 of the primary insulation layer 10 are spaced apart from each other and thus form a first corridor 12 with a main extension direction parallel to the longitudinal direction Y, and a second corridor 14 with a main extension direction parallel to the transverse direction X and therefore orthogonal to the extension direction of the first corridor 12.

[0073] In this example of use of the invention, the glue deposition system 50 is arranged in the first corridor 12 and configured to advance in a rolling direction identical to the longitudinal direction Y, that is to say that the glue deposition system 50 advances first between the insulating blocks 11,13 and then between the insulating blocks 15, 17.

[0074] The glue deposition system 50 comprises a frame 59, here formed of metal tubular elements welded together. The frame 59 extends lengthwise in the direction of travel and is slightly narrower than the width of the first channel 12, which is substantially the same as the width of the second channel 14. The width of a channel 12, 14 is measured as the shortest distance between two insulating blocks 11, 13 or 15, 17, facing each other and contributing to the delimitation of the channel 12, 14. The difference in width between the width of the frame 59 and the width of the first or second channel 12, 14 is, for example, less than 6 millimeters.

[0075] For purely indicative purposes, the length of the chassis 59 is on the order of one meter, for example is approximately equal to 120 cm (centimeters).

[0076] A first portion 56 of the chassis 59 supports first rolling elements 53, fixed on either side of the first portion 56 of the chassis 59 across its width. Similarly, a second portion 57 of the chassis 59 supports second rolling elements 54, fixed on either side of the second portion 57 of the chassis 59 across its width. The first and second rolling elements 53, 54 will be described in more detail with reference to [Fig. 3].

[0077] The first part 56 and the second part 57 of the chassis are connected by a pivot joint 58 with pivot axis orthogonal to the direction of travel, i.e. parallel to the transverse direction X when the glue deposition system 50 is in the operating position in the first corridor 12.

[0078] The first part 56 forms a first substantially rectangular frame and the second part 57 forms a second substantially rectangular frame. The long sides of the frames are parallel to the direction of travel. As can be seen more clearly [Fig. 6], the second frame intersects the first frame on a short side 561 of the first frame, such that one end of a first long side of the second frame is interposed between one end of a first long side of the first frame and this short side 561, and one end of a second long side of the second frame is interposed between one end of a second long side of the first frame and this short side 561. A rod passing through a tube forming this short side 561 of the first frame passes through these ends of the first and second long sides of the first and second frames, thus creating the pivot joint 58.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the first frame and the second frame do not intersect and are connected, for example, by means of hinges. One of the short sides 561 of the first frame or 571 of the second frame then serves, for example, as a pivot for the second or first frame, respectively.

[0080] The tubes of the first part 56 of the chassis 59 also form a handle raised vertically in relation to the first frame, and the tubes of the second part 57 of the chassis 59 form a handle raised vertically in relation to the second frame.

[0081] As shown in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 6], a first nozzle 51 and a second nozzle 52 are fixed to the short side 561 of the first frame forming the pivot joint 58, being located inside the first frame. The nozzles 51 and 52 are thus fixed near the pivot joint 58, so as to be able to distribute glue to the ends of the first channel 12 when the second part 57 of the chassis is raised.

[0082] The nozzles 51, 52 are therefore positioned closer to the small side 561 of the first frame, forming an end of the frame proximal to the pivot joint 58, than to the small opposite side of the first frame, forming another end of the frame, distal to the pivot joint 58. For example the distance between the nozzles 51, 52 and the small side 561 forming an end of the frame proximal to the pivot joint 58 is between 5 and 15 cm.

[0083] The nozzles 51, 52 are fixed at a distance from each other with respect to a median axis of the adhesive deposition system 50, parallel to the direction of travel. This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to homogenize the distribution of adhesive on the secondary sealing membrane 24. Moreover, the quantity of adhesive at the median axis, generated by both nozzles 51, 52 simultaneously, is greater than the quantity of adhesive at the longitudinal edges of the flexible composite sheets 244. This compensates for the deformation of the flexible composite sheets 244 under the weight of the adhesive, above the insulating joint 22 located between the thermal insulation blocks of the secondary insulation layer 20 situated beneath the flexible composite sheets 244.

[0084] This embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to overcome the differences in vertical positioning of the rigid composite sheets 240 glued to thermal insulation blocks of the secondary insulation layer, which do not have the same vertical dimensions and / or which have been mounted with different vertical clearances.

[0085] Indeed, in order to overcome these differences in vertical positioning, the glue deposition system 50 includes, in this embodiment of the invention, regulation means allowing glue to be distributed by the first nozzle 51 at a first flow rate, distinct from a second flow rate of glue distribution by the second nozzle 52. Thus the first nozzle 51 is able to deposit more or less glue than the second nozzle 52 on the secondary sealing membrane 24 as the glue deposition system 50 advances in the direction of travel, so that the layer of glue jointly formed by the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 has a free surface parallel to the longitudinal Y and transverse X directions.

[0086] Fig. 3 also shows the first and second rolling members 53, 54, supported against vertically arranged side walls of insulating blocks delimiting the first corridor 12, by respectively first support means 553 and second support means 554. These first and second support means 553, 554 are here made by springs.

[0087] Each spring is capable of being held compressed by a system of hooks fixed on either side of the ends of the spring and which are hooked together. When the springs of the first or second support means 553, 554 are compressed, the first or respectively the second support means 553, 554 are deactivated.

[0088] Conversely, when the springs of the first or second support means 553, 554 are released, the first or respectively the second support means 553, 554 are activated, i.e., they press the first members of bearing 53 or respectively the second bearing elements 54 against side walls, arranged vertically, of insulating blocks delimiting the first corridor 12, with sufficient pressure to allow the glue deposition system 50 to be kept vertically away from the secondary sealing membrane 24.

[0089] Of course, other implementations of the means of support are conceivable, for example with hydraulic jacks.

[0090] Returning to [Fig. 2], the first rolling elements 53 comprise two tracks mounted on the first part 56 of the chassis 59 on either side of the width of the first frame. Each track of the first rolling elements 53 is more precisely supported by a long edge of the first frame. Similarly, the second rolling elements 54 comprise two tracks mounted on the second part 57 of the chassis 59 on either side of the width of the second frame. Each track of the second rolling elements 53 is more precisely supported by a long edge of the second frame.

[0091] Each track of the first or second running members 53, 54 comprises a tread 29, clearly visible [Fig. 7], and at least two rollers 30 arranged opposite each other in the tread 29, one of the rollers 30 having the function of a sprocket, i.e., it is capable of rotating the tread 29. The main extension direction of the tread 29 is arranged parallel to a long side of the first or second frame, so that the rotating tread 29 is capable of rolling on a lateral wall 114, 134, 154, 174 of one of the insulating blocks 11, 13, 15, 17. In other words, the rollers 30 in the tread 29 are each mounted for rotation about a vertically arranged axle, i.e., perpendicular to the first or second frame. The axles are part of the first or second rolling elements 53, 54 to which the rollers 30 belong.

[0092] Although not shown in [Fig. 2], each spring of the first support means 553 elastically holds the axles of two rollers 30 arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry of the first frame, against the long sides of the first frame, externally to it. These two rollers 30 therefore belong to two tracks distinct from the first rolling elements 53.

[0093] Similarly, each spring of the second support means 554 elastically holds the axles of two rollers 30 arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry of the second frame, against the long sides of the second frame, externally to it. These two rollers 30 belong to two separate tracks of the second rolling elements 54.

[0094] To allow this elastic support, each long side of the first or second frame has two notches in the tube forming that long side. These notches run vertically through the long side, that is, perpendicularly to the first or second frame, respectively. These notches are located on the outer side of the first or second frame and each receives an axle that cooperates with one of the rollers 30 of the track supported by the long side. They allow transverse movement of the axles on either side of the first or second frame without the axles detaching from the first or second frame, respectively.

[0095] Furthermore, the tracks of the first or second rolling elements 53, 54 are each of a length strictly greater than the width of the channels perpendicular to the channel in which the device is intended to travel, therefore here greater than the width of the first channel 12 and the width of the second channel 14. Thus, the glue application system 50 traverses the channels transverse to the channel in which it travels without deviating from its trajectory. For illustrative purposes only, the length of each track is, for example, 38 cm, while the width of the first channel 12 and the width of the second channel 14 are 34 cm.

[0096] In figures 2 and 3, the glue deposition system 50 is shown in a first configuration, in which the first rolling members 53 are supported against the first side walls 114, 134 of the insulating blocks 11, 13 respectively, forming a first part of the first channel 12, and in which the second rolling members 54 are supported against the second side walls 154, 174 of the insulating blocks 15, 17 respectively, forming a second part of the first channel 12. The first side walls 114, 134 and the second side walls 154, 174 are arranged vertically. In other words, the first side walls 114, 134 are opposite each other and delimit between them the first part of the first corridor 12, and the second side walls 154, 174 are opposite each other and delimit between them the second part of the first corridor 12. In this first configuration, the tracks of the first rolling elements 53 roll on the first side walls 114, 134, while the tracks of the second rolling elements 54 roll on the second side walls 154, 174.

[0097] More specifically, as illustrated [Fig.3], the tracks of the first rolling elements 53 and the tracks of the second rolling elements 54 roll on the foam blocks 110, 130, 150, 170 of the insulating blocks 11, 13, 15, 17. The edges of the upper plates 112, 132, 152, 172 are simultaneously traversed by grooved wheels 63, 64 of the glue deposition system 50, which ensure a substantially horizontal position of the chassis 59, i.e. parallel to the pieces of secondary sealing membrane 24.

[0098] As seen in [Fig.3], a grooved wheel 63 is mounted on each axle on which is also mounted a roller 30 of a track of the first rolling elements 53. Similarly, a grooved wheel 64 is mounted on each axle on which is also mounted a roller 30 of a track of the second rolling elements 54.

[0099] Each axle therefore extends in a notch of the first or second frame, perpendicular to it, supporting a grooved wheel 63, 64, at one of its ends and a roller 30 of one of the tracks at the other of its ends, the grooved wheel 63, 64 and the roller 30 being located on either side of the first or second frame.

[0100] The edge of each upper plate 112, 132, 152, 172 is therefore taken in the groove of a grooved wheel 63, 34 of the glue deposition system 50, in this first configuration.

[0101] A first electric motor, not shown, drives the tracks of the first rolling elements 53, which simultaneously drives the grooved wheels 63 along the edges 112, 132 of the insulating blocks 11,13 delimiting the first part of the first corridor 12. Transmission means allow the rotary motion of the first electric motor to be transmitted to the axles of the first rolling elements 53.

[0102] Similarly, a second electric motor, not shown, drives the tracks of the second running elements 54, which simultaneously drives the grooved wheels 64 along the edges 152, 172 of the insulating blocks 15, 17 delimiting the second part of the first corridor 12. Transmission means allow the rotary motion of the second electric motor to be transmitted to the axles of the second running elements 54.

[0103] Alternatively, several first or second electric motors are used, for example, if each axle constitutes an output shaft of one of the first or second electric motors. In this case, the glue deposition system 50 does not include transmission means between the first and second motors and the first or second rolling elements 53, 54, respectively.

[0104] Returning to the main embodiment of the invention, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are powered independently of each other, for example they are powered in parallel with each other by being connected to the same voltage source, a current-cutting device being mounted on each supply loop of the first or second electric motor.

[0105] This allows, in a second configuration illustrated in [Fig. 4], for the power supply to be cut off to the second electric motor without necessarily cutting off the power supply to the first electric motor. Indeed, in this second configuration, an operator commands the deactivation of the second electric motor and also of the second means of support 554, to complete the second part of the first corridor 12 only with the first part 56 of the chassis 59, which will allow it to bring the nozzles 51, 52 as close as possible to the end of the first corridor 12 towards which the glue deposition system 50 advances.

[0106] The first support means 553 are indeed capable of operating independently of the second support means 554, as shown in [Fig.4] in which the second support means 554 are deactivated while the first support means 553 are activated.

[0107] In this embodiment of the invention, this deactivation is achieved by compressing the springs of the second support means 554, which folds down against the second frame of the chassis 59, the axles on which the grooved wheels 64 and the rollers 30 of the second rolling elements 54 are mounted. This disengages the tracks of the second rolling elements 54 from the second side walls 154, 174 of the insulating blocks 15, 17, and the grooved wheels 64 from the upper plates 152, 172 of the insulating blocks 15, 17.

[0108] The glue deposition system 50 can thus be put into a third configuration illustrated in figures 5 to 7, in which the second part 57 of the chassis 59 is folded substantially vertically, thanks to the pivot joint 58, thus freeing up space upstream of the first part 56 of the chassis, the upstream being defined with respect to the direction of travel of the glue deposition system 50.

[0109] A glue deposition method 300 according to the invention is now described in relation to [Fig. 8], in this embodiment of the invention. This glue deposition method 300 uses the glue deposition system 50 according to the invention and is implemented at least in part by an operator using control means for the glue deposition system 50, these control means being able to use a wireless communication connection.

[0110] A first step 310 of the glue deposition process 300 is the insertion of the frame 59 of the glue deposition system 50, between the first side walls 114, 134 of the insulating blocks 11,13 delimiting the first part of the first corridor 12,

[0111] A second step 320 of the glue deposition process 300 is then the horizontal positioning of the chassis 59 relative to the pieces of secondary sealing membrane 24 located between the insulating blocks 11, 13, by presenting the grooves of the grooved wheels 63, 64 opposite the edges of the upper plates 112, 132 of the insulating blocks 11, 13, and the activation of the first and second support means 553, 554. In other words, the springs of the first and second support means 553, 554 are released, which presses the tracks of the first and second rolling elements 53, 54 against the first lateral walls 114, 134 of the insulating blocks 11, 13, and engages the grooves of the grooved wheels 63, 64 around the edges of the upper plates 112, 132 of the insulating blocks 11, 13. The first and second means of support 553, 554 being elastic, automatically adapt the distance between the tracks of the first and second rolling elements 53, 54 to the distance between the two insulating blocks 11, 13.

[0112] A third step 330 of the glue deposition process 300 is then the distribution of glue by the nozzles 51, 52, simultaneously with the movement of the glue deposition system 50 in the rolling direction Y. During this third step 330, the first flow of glue supplied by the first nozzle 51 and the second flow of glue supplied by the second nozzle 52 are regulated so as to compensate for differences in horizontal positioning of the pieces of secondary sealing membrane 24 located on either side of the insulating joint 22.Furthermore, during this third step 330, the operator or automatic detection means using, for example, distance measurement means, detect 332 that the second part 57 of the chassis 59 has entered at least in part into an end part of the first corridor 12, here the second part of the first corridor 12, and on this detection 332, the operator or the detection means trigger the deactivation 334 of the second support means 554 and the pivoting of the second part 57 of the chassis 59 relative to the first part 56 of the chassis 59.

[0113] Simultaneously with this detection step 332 and this deactivation step 334 and pivoting, the glue deposition system 50 continues to advance to the end of the first corridor 12, which allows the glue to be distributed to the edge of the tank wall 1.

[0114] It should be noted that when the second part of the first corridor 12 is not an end part of the first corridor 12, following detection 332 that the second part 57 of the frame 59 has entered at least partially into the second part of the first corridor 12, the second support means are not deactivated but adapt to the new width of this second part of the first corridor 12. This adaptation is automatic when this new width is greater than that of the first part of the first corridor 12, due to the elasticity of the second support means 554. When this new width is less than that of the first part of the first corridor 12, a deactivation of the second support means 554 precedes a reactivation of these second support means 554.

[0115] Alternatively, the glue distribution step 330 is interrupted when the second support means 334 are deactivated and when the second part 57 of the chassis is pivoted, and then resumed when the second part 57 of the chassis 59 has cleared the space in front of the first part 56 of the chassis 59. It should also be noted that the entire step 330 can be performed automatically. In particular, the pivot joint 58 is, for example, motorized.

[0116] In another variant, the glue distribution step 330 is interrupted as soon as the nozzles 51, 52 reach the second channel 14, then resumes as soon as the nozzles 51, 52 reach the second part of the first channel 12, so as not to distribute glue at the crossing between the first and second channels 12, 14. This other variant is implemented here assuming that during the passage of the second channel 14, the glue distribution is homogeneous over the entire length of the second channel 14.

[0117] In yet another embodiment, as soon as the nozzles 51, 52 reach the second channel 14, the glue distribution step 330 includes a step of halving the glue flow rates delivered by the nozzles 51, 52 during the entire passage through the intersection between the first and second channels 12, 14, these glue flow rates returning to their values ​​before this intersection as soon as it has been passed. This other embodiment is implemented here assuming that during the passage through the second channel 14, the glue distribution is also halved during the passage through this same intersection.

[0118] 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. In particular, the features of different embodiments of the invention can be combined to carry out the invention, provided that these embodiments are not incompatible with each other.

Claims

1. Demands Adhesive deposition system (50) for assembling a tank wall (1) intended to contain liquefied gas, the tank wall (1) being assembled comprising at least a portion of a secondary insulation layer (20) covered with pieces (240, 244) of a secondary sealing membrane (24), and insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of a primary insulation layer (10) intended to be covered with a primary sealing membrane configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of the primary insulation layer (10) being arranged on pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24) and separated by channels (12, 14), the adhesive deposition system (50) comprising: - a chassis (59) configured to move in one of the corridors (12), the chassis (59) comprising a first part (56) and a second part (57) configured to be one behind the other in the corridor (12), - at least one nozzle (51, 52) fixed to the chassis (59) and capable of distributing glue onto pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane, in the corridor (12), - the first rolling elements (53) supported by the first part (56) of the chassis (59) and configured to roll on side walls (114, 134) of the insulating blocks (11, 13) of the primary insulation layer (10), the side walls (114, 134) being opposite each other in the corridor (12), and - second rolling elements (54) supported by the second part (57) of the chassis (59) and configured to roll on the side walls (154, 174) in the corridor (12), the glue deposition system (50) being characterized in that it further comprises first means for bearing (553) the first rolling elements (53) against the side walls (114, 134) in a first part of the corridor (12), and second means for bearing (554) the second rolling elements (54) against the side walls (154, 174) in a second part of the corridor (12), the first means for bearing (553) being capable of operating independently of the second means for bearing (554), the first support means (553) being able to adapt a gap between the first rolling elements (53) according to a first width of the corridor (12) in the first part of the corridor (12) and the second support means (554) being able to adapt a gap between the second rolling elements (54) according to a second width of the corridor (12) in the second part of the corridor (12).

2. Glue deposition system (50) according to claim 1, wherein the first part (56) and the second part (57) of the chassis (59) are connected by a pivot joint (58) with pivot axis orthogonal to a rolling direction (Y) of the glue deposition system (50), the pivot axis being configured to be positioned orthogonally to the side walls (114, 134, 154, 174) of the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of the primary insulation layer (10).

3. Glue deposition system (50) according to claim 2, wherein the first part (56) extending in the rolling direction (Y), from a first distal end to the pivot joint (58) to a second proximal end to the pivot joint (58), the nozzle (51, 52) is fixed to the frame (59) at a distance closer to the second end than to the first end.

4. Adhesive deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first rolling members (53) and the second rolling members (54) each comprise at least two tracks, of lengths strictly greater than a distance between two insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of the primary insulation layer (10) arranged opposite each other in the direction of travel (Y).

5. Glue deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising drive means fixed to the chassis (59), capable of rotating the first and second rolling elements (53, 54).

6. Glue deposition system (50) according to claim 5, wherein the drive means comprise a first electric motor capable of rotating the first rolling elements (53), and a second electric motor that can be activated independently of the first electric motor, capable of rotating the second rolling elements (54).

7. A glue deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first support means (553) comprise at least one first spring or hydraulic cylinder capable of exerting a clamping force against the first rolling members (53) and the second support means (554) comprise at least one second spring or hydraulic cylinder capable of exerting a clamping force against the second rolling members (54), the glue deposition system (50) further comprising first means for extending and retracting the first spring or hydraulic cylinder and second means for extending and retracting the second spring or hydraulic cylinder.

8. Adhesive deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising positioning means suitable for positioning the first and second bearing members (53, 54) at the same distance from the pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24).

9. Adhesive deposition system (50) according to claim 8, wherein the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of the primary insulation layer (10) each comprise a top plate (112, 132, 152, 172), and wherein the positioning means are grooved wheels (63, 64), each of the grooved wheels (63, 64) being configured to roll along an edge of a top plate (112, 132, 152, 172) of insulating block (11, 13, 15, 17) by taking this edge in its groove.

10. Glue deposition system (50) according to claim 9, wherein the grooved wheels (63, 64) comprise first grooved wheels (63) coupled to first support means (553) and second grooved wheels (64) coupled to second support means (554).

11. Glue deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a first nozzle (51) capable of distributing glue onto pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24) at a first flow rate, and a second nozzle (52) capable of distributing glue onto pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24) at a second flow rate, the first nozzle (51) and the second nozzle (52) being fixed to the frame (59) at a distance from each other with respect to a median axis of the glue deposition system (50), parallel to a rolling direction (Y) of the glue deposition system (50).

12. A method (300) for depositing adhesive for assembling a tank wall (1) intended to contain liquefied gas, the tank wall (1) being assembled comprising at least a portion of a secondary insulation layer (20) covered with pieces (240, 244) of a secondary sealing membrane (24), and insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) of a primary insulation layer (10) intended to be covered with a primary sealing membrane configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) being arranged on pieces (240, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24) and separated from them by channels (12, 14), the method (300) for depositing adhesive using an adhesive deposition system (50) according to any one of claims 1 at 11,in which the first part (56) and the second part (57) of the chassis are connected by a pivot joint (58) with a pivot axis orthogonal to a rolling direction (Y) of the glue deposition system (50), the pivot axis being configured to be positioned orthogonally to the side walls (114, 134, 154, 174) of the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17) opposite each other in one of the lanes (12), the glue deposition method (300) comprises the steps of: - inserting (310) the chassis (59) between side walls (114, 134, 154, 174) of insulating blocks (11, 13) facing each other in the lane (12), - positioning (320) the chassis (59) relative to the pieces (24, 244) of the secondary sealing membrane (24) - support of the first rolling elements (53) and the second rolling elements (54) against the side walls (114, 134, 154, 174) in the corridor (12),the first support means (553) adjusting a gap between the first rolling elements (53) to a first width of the corridor (12) in a first part of the corridor (12) and the second support means (554) adjusting a gap between the second rolling elements (54) to a second width of the corridor (12) in a second part of the corridor (12), - distribution (330) of glue by the nozzle (51, 52) and movement of the glue deposition system (50) according to the rolling direction (Y), the distribution (330) and movement step comprising, when the second part (57) of the chassis (59) arrives at one end of the portion of secondary insulation layer (20), the deactivation (334) of the second support means (554) and the pivoting of the second part (57) of the chassis (59) relative to the first part (56) of the chassis (59).

13. A method (300) for depositing glue for assembling a tank wall (1) according to claim 12, wherein when the nozzle (51, 52) reaches a crossing between two channels (12, 14), the glue distribution step (330) is interrupted or includes a step of halving the glue flow rate delivered by the nozzle (51, 52) during the entire passage of the crossing by the nozzle (51, 52), the glue distribution step (330) being resumed after this passage with a glue flow rate identical to that delivered by the nozzle (51, 52) before this passage.

14. A method (300) for depositing adhesive for assembling a tank wall (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the channel (12) is a first channel, the tank wall (1) being assembled having a second channel (14) orthogonal to the first channel (12), the second channel (14) separating the first part of the first channel (12) from the second part of the first channel (12) or the second part of the first channel (12) from a third part of the first channel (12), and wherein, when the first rolling elements (53) or the second rolling elements (54) pass through the second channel (14), the method for depositing adhesive (300) comprises a further step of pressing the first rolling elements (53) or respectively the second rolling elements (54) against the side walls (114, 134, 154, 174) in the first channel (12),the first support means (553) adjusting a gap between the first rolling elements (53) at the second width of the first aisle (12) in the second part of the first aisle (12) or respectively the second support means (554) adjusting a gap between the second rolling elements (54) at a third width of the first aisle (12) in the third part of the first aisle (12).

15. Method (300) of depositing glue for assembling a tank wall (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, in which the glue distribution step (330) is followed by a step of laying insulating panels (18) between the insulating blocks (11, 13, 15, 17), in which the insulating panels (18) are pressed against a layer of glue formed by the nozzle (51, 52) on the secondary sealing membrane (24) during the glue distribution step (330).

Citation Information

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