Elastically Compressible Anchoring Device for Insulating Block Flatness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing anchoring devices in sealed and thermally insulating tanks for liquefied gases are prone to creating flatness defects due to differences in stiffness, leading to stress concentrations that compromise the integrity of the waterproof membrane, especially under compressive stresses from liquid sloshing.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an anchoring device with a clamping assembly that includes a lower and upper plate, a connecting member, and an elastically compressible member, allowing for elastic deformation and reduced stiffness to accommodate compressive forces, ensuring the upper surface of the anchoring device follows the movements of the insulating blocks and maintains the integrity of the waterproof membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anchoring device uses stiff components to reliably anchor the thermally insulating barrier, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but flatness defects occur in the thermally insulating barrier under compressive stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stiffness parameter of the anchoring device by introducing an elastically compressible member between the clamping assembly and the insulating block. This allows the anchoring device to transition from a purely rigid structure to one with controlled flexibility, enabling it to accommodate compressive stresses without creating flatness defects while maintaining anchoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring device combines rigid components (clamping assembly, anchor rod) with an elastically compressible member to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the device to exhibit both the strength needed for reliable anchoring and the flexibility needed to prevent flatness defects under compressive loads.
2Device complexity
If the anchoring device has limited footprint, then the device complexity is reduced, but stress concentrations occur at the anchoring devices under compressive stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the stress-absorbing function specifically at the interface between the anchoring device and the insulating block through the elastically compressible member. This localized flexibility element allows the rest of the anchoring device to remain compact while still managing stress concentrations effectively.
3Strength
If the anchoring device is rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the upper surface cannot follow the movements of the insulating blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics into the anchoring device by incorporating an elastically compressible member that allows relative movement between the clamping assembly and the insulating block. This dynamic element enables the upper surface of the anchoring device to follow the movements of the insulating blocks while the overall structure maintains its structural integrity through the rigid anchor rod and clamping assembly.
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 enhances the flexibility of the anchoring system, reducing the risk of flatness defects and stress concentrations, thereby ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of the thermally insulating barriers and waterproof membranes in tanks containing liquefied gases.
Implementation Method 1
the spacing member further comprises an elastically compressible member tending to maintain the lower plate and the upper plate in a spaced apart position, the connecting member defining a maximum spacing between the lower plate and the upper plate in the spaced apart position, said maximum spacing being greater than said minimum spacing, the elastically compressible member being configured to compress elastically to said stop position of the lower and upper plates against the stop piece in response to a force tending to bring the upper plate closer to the lower plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An anchoring device intended to retain insulating blocks against a load-bearing wall comprises a gripping assembly (30) comprising a lower plate (31), an upper plate (32) parallel to the lower plate, and an abutment part that defines a minimum spacing between the lower plate and the upper plate. The spacing member also comprises an elastically compressible member (39) that tends to hold the lower plate and the upper plate (32) in a spaced-apart position, the connecting member defining a maximum spacing between the lower plate and the upper plate in the spaced-apart position, said maximum spacing being greater than said minimum spacing, the elastically compressible member (39) being configured to be compressed elastically as far as said abutment position of the lower and upper plates (31, 32) against the abutment part in response to a force urging the upper plate and the lower plate closer together.