Segmented Bent Metal Vacuum Vessel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of large-size vacuum vessels is challenging due to the difficulty in obtaining large metal blocks, leading to high material costs, thermal strain issues from welding, and transportation limitations, while existing methods that avoid welding often result in heavy and costly vacuum vessels with complex seal structures.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum vessel is manufactured using a pair of bent metal plate members connected to form a closed space, sealed with a looped seal member and fastening members, eliminating the need for welding and reducing material usage, thus minimizing weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to combine metal plate members to form a large-size vacuum vessel, then mechanical strength is ensured, but thermal strain occurs requiring secondary cutting, increasing manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum vessel is divided into multiple frame-like constituent members that are connected through connecting portions. This segmentation allows each member to be manufactured separately with standard welding procedures, avoiding the need for welding entire large structures together and reducing thermal strain issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Connecting portions serve as intermediary elements between frame-like constituent members. These connecting portions include recesses and protrusions that facilitate precise alignment and connection, reducing the need for secondary cutting operations while maintaining mechanical strength.
2Reliability
If thick metal plate members are used to support atmospheric pressure, then air tightness is maintained, but the vacuum vessel becomes heavy and material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum vessel is segmented into multiple frame-like constituent members connected at specific connecting portions. This segmentation allows the use of thinner metal plates while maintaining overall structural integrity through the distributed framework, reducing weight and material cost while preserving air tightness through proper sealing at connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum vessel employs a composite structure combining metal plate members with sealing materials at connecting portions. This composite approach allows thinner metal plates to be used while maintaining air tightness through the combined functionality of the metal framework and sealing elements.
3Strength
If welding is used to manufacture the vacuum vessel, then mechanical strength is achieved, but transportation is limited due to weight and size restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum vessel is divided into multiple frame-like constituent members that can be manufactured to manageable sizes and weights. These segmented components can be transported more easily within vehicle restrictions and then assembled on-site to form the complete vacuum vessel, maintaining mechanical strength through proper connection designs.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional welding methods are used, then vacuum vessels can be manufactured, but the number of working steps increases due to secondary cutting
Solution Approach 1:
Connecting portions are designed with pre-formed recesses and protrusions that enable direct connection between frame-like constituent members. This preliminary design of connection features eliminates the need for secondary cutting operations after welding, reducing manufacturing steps and time while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum vessel includes: a pair of bent members formed by bending two metal plates and connected to each other to form a closed space inside; one looped seal member which seals connecting portions of the pair of bent members; a structure arranged in the closed space to abut against an inner surface of the closed space formed by the pair of bent members; and a fastening member which connects the connecting portions of the pair of bent members.