Moisture-Barrier Belt Coating for Protected Tension Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belts with fabric coatings are prone to moisture penetration through defects in the film, leading to corrosion of steel cables and swelling of textile tension members, reducing the load capacity and lifespan, especially in harsh environments like offshore wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A belt design with a first thin film between the belt body and the fabric layer to prevent moisture from reaching the tension members, using the same polyurethane material for the belt body and film to ensure complete encapsulation and minimize material differences, and optionally a second film on the outside for additional protection and friction management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fabric layer is used as the coating on the belt body, then abrasion resistance and noise reduction are improved, but moisture can penetrate through defects in the film to reach the tension members, causing corrosion or swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple functional layers: a fabric layer for abrasion resistance and noise reduction, and a separate film layer for moisture protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The film acts as an intermediary barrier between the fabric layer and the tension members. It prevents moisture from penetrating through the fabric layer to reach the steel cables or textile tension members, while allowing the fabric layer to maintain its abrasion-resistant properties.
2Device complexity
If the fabric layer is directly applied to the belt body, then the structure is simple and production is easy, but moisture penetration leads to reduced load capacity and lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is segmented into distinct layers with specific functions: the fabric layer provides mechanical protection and noise reduction, while the film layer provides moisture barrier protection. This extends the belt's service life without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating uses a composite structure combining fabric and film materials. The fabric provides mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, while the film provides moisture barrier properties. Together they create a coating system that protects the tension members and extends belt lifespan.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fabric layer is made stretchable to maintain belt elasticity, then the belt's elastic properties are preserved, but moisture can still penetrate through the fabric to damage the tension members
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is segmented into a fabric layer that maintains belt elasticity through stretching, and a separate film layer that provides moisture barrier protection. The film layer remains intact even when the fabric layer stretches, preventing moisture penetration while preserving elastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The film layer acts as a flexible moisture barrier that can accommodate the stretching of the fabric layer during belt operation. This thin film maintains its integrity and moisture-blocking properties even when the underlying fabric layer deforms elastically.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a belt (1) with a belt body (10) which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction and comprises substantially a flexible material, wherein at least one tension member (13), preferably a plurality of tension members (13), is embedded at least substantially in the longitudinal direction of the belt body (10) and is at least substantially enclosed by the flexible material of the belt body (10), and with a coating (14) which is arranged directly on the belt body (10) from a drive side (11) of the belt (1), wherein the coating (14) comprises a fabric layer (14b). The belt (1) is characterized in that the coating (14) has a first film (14a) facing the belt body (10), which is arranged between the belt body (10) and the fabric layer (14b) and is designed to separate the belt body from the fabric layer (14b).