Collapsible Containment Berm With Integral Sidewall Bracing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containment berms require tedious installation and storage of separate support members, which can be misplaced, leading to inadequate sidewall support during setup and requiring time-consuming reconnection for structure re-establishment, especially when isolating tanker vehicles or handling spills.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible containment berm with integral support members, such as brace assemblies, that can be deployed or stowed to maintain or collapse the sidewall, eliminating the need for external parts and allowing vehicles to enter and exit the containment area without the hassle of separate support components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate rigid support members are used to maintain the sidewall upright, then the sidewall can be supported, but the support members are tedious to install and can be misplaced or lost, resulting in inadequate support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesidewall support reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are integrated into the sidewall structure itself, forming a unified assembly. The sidewall includes built-in support ribs or bracing elements that are permanently attached to the sidewall panels, eliminating the need for separate support members that need to be installed and removed. This integration ensures support reliability while dramatically simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewall structure is designed to be self-supporting through its integrated bracing system. The sidewall panels incorporate internal reinforcement ribs and diagonal support elements that automatically provide structural stability when the sidewall is erected, without requiring external support members or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate support members are used, then the sidewall can be supported, but they require removal and storage for each side wall collapse to enable vehicle access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle access capabilityVSAvoidtime for support member removal and reconnection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall incorporates collapsible sections with integrated support mechanisms that can be quickly deployed or stowed. The support structure includes movable bracing elements that can be rapidly extended to support the sidewall in its upright position or retracted to allow the sidewall to collapse for vehicle access, enabling dynamic adaptation without time-consuming manual assembly or disassembly of separate support members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the berm is designed for rapid assembly, then setup time is reduced, but structural integrity to withstand hydrostatic pressure may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidhydrostatic pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The containment berm is divided into modular panels that can be quickly assembled and disconnected. Each panel is self-supporting with integrated bracing, allowing rapid deployment while maintaining structural integrity. The segmented design enables the berm to be assembled in sections without requiring complex support structures, and each module is engineered to withstand hydrostatic pressure independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables rapid and easy assembly/disassembly of containment berms without external parts, ensuring adequate sidewall support and facilitating vehicle access while maintaining structural integrity to withstand hydrostatic pressure.

Implementation Method 1

The end of the floor member that is remote from the sleeve is hinged to a rigid buttress member, which in the deployed position, inclines inward toward the top rim of the sidewall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

The end of the floor member that is remote from the sleeve is hinged to a rigid buttress member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11826793B2Collapsible containment berm

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SEI IND LTD

AI summary

A collapsible containment berm having a floor and a peripheral sidewall, a plurality of brace assemblies integrally carried on an external surface of the sidewall and on an adjacent underside surface of the floor, each brace assembly comprising a rigid sidewall support member connected to the external surface of the sidewall and oriented upright when deployed, a rigid buttress member having a first end and an opposite second end, and hingedly connected to an upper end of the sidewall support member that allows the buttress member to arc toward or away from the sidewall, a rigid floor member hingedly connected at the third end to the other end of the buttress member, and a sleeve connected to the underside of the floor and adapted to receive the floor member. The floor member slides in and out of the sleeve and moves the buttress member in and out of a bracing position with respect to the sidewall.