Biogas Dome Roof Stabilizing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biogas tanks with air-supported roofs face challenges in achieving high strength and stability while maintaining simplicity and ease of design, as well as adapting to variable operating pressures and filling levels without risking damage from alternating stress.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of stabilizing elements interacting with a base film in pocket-shaped enveloping tubes, which absorb tensile and bearing forces, providing a stable dome-shaped air-supported roof that can adjust to varying pressures and filling levels, and offering additional sun protection and assembly safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional air-supported roof is used, then the structure is simple and lightweight, but the strength and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a base film as the primary structural element of the air-supported roof, utilizing flexible thin film technology to create a lightweight yet functional roofing system. The base film works in conjunction with stabilizing elements to achieve the desired strength while maintaining simplicity and light weight characteristics.
2Weight of moving object
If the base film is made thinner and lighter, then the weight is reduced, but the resistance to alternating stress and risk of breakage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the base film with stabilizing elements (such as ropes, cables, or reinforcing members) that run through pocket-shaped sheathing tubes. This composite system allows the use of thinner, lighter base film while the stabilizing elements provide the necessary strength and resistance to alternating stress, preventing breakage under variable operating conditions.
3Reliability
If stabilizing elements are permanently fixed to the base film, then installation reliability is improved, but the base film may be damaged by the stabilizing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pocket-shaped sheathing tubes as intermediary structures that house the stabilizing elements. These sheathing tubes serve as a protective mediator between the stabilizing elements and the base film, allowing the stabilizing elements to be permanently fixed for installation reliability while preventing direct contact that could damage the base film. The sheathing tubes distribute and protect the base film from potential damage caused by the stabilizing elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution results in a lightweight, cost-effective, and flexible air-supported roof with enhanced stability and operational reliability, reducing the risk of damage from external weather conditions and allowing for easier assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
an air cushion is created between an outer, gas-tight, and weather-resistant membrane roof and an underlying membrane. A blower uses this air cushion to generate a constant pressure inside the biogas storage tank. This results in the characteristically domed shape of the air-supported roof with a pressure differential of 3 to 5 millibars.
Implementation Method 2
a multitude of stabilizing elements interact with a base film to transmit loads, in particular being repeatedly detachably or permanently connected, i.e., for example, by positive locking, frictional locking, or material bonding, so that the tensile forces are transferred via the stabilizing elements.
Implementation Method 3
the stabilizing elements are at least partially enclosed in pocket-shaped sheathing tubes, which are connected to the base film, in particular permanently.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
AI summary
Dome-shaped inflatable roof (2) comprises: a gas-tight and optionally liquid-tight backing sheet, which can be applied to the open top of a container shell having a circular basic shape; and a number of stabilizing elements (5), which interact load transmitting arrangement with a base film (4) and are used as derivation of tensile forces.