Curved Corner Membrane Assembly Reducing Material Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing process for waterproof membranes in tanks, such as those for cryogenic fluid storage and transport, results in excessive material usage due to large overlapping areas, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process involving four rectangular plates with specific beveled sides and a curved convex portion on the fourth plate allows for continuous welding, reducing material overlap and dimensions, thereby minimizing material usage while maintaining waterproof integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plates are assembled with large overlapping areas to ensure waterproof integrity, then reliability is improved, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fourth plate incorporates a curved convex portion at its corner area instead of a traditional straight edge. This curvature allows the plate to fit precisely into the interstice between the corner areas of the first and second plates, enabling continuous welding along the curved surface while minimizing overlap dimensions. The curved geometry maintains waterproof integrity by eliminating gaps while reducing the total overlapping surface area compared to conventional straight-edged plate assemblies.
2Ease of manufacture
If continuous welding lines are used to assemble plates, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but material overlap dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved convex portion of the fourth plate is designed to accommodate continuous welding along its entire perimeter, including the curved surface. The curvature radius is specifically optimized to allow welding equipment to maintain continuous contact while following the curved path, thereby preserving the simplicity of continuous welding operations. Simultaneously, the curved geometry reduces the linear dimensions of overlap areas compared to traditional straight-edged configurations.
3Loss of substance
If the fourth plate has a corner area that fits into the interstice between first and second plates, then material usage is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved convex portion provides a well-defined geometric feature with a specific curvature radius that facilitates precise positioning and fitting into the interstice between the corner areas of the first and second plates. The continuous curved surface allows for accurate alignment during assembly, and the geometry naturally guides the welding process along a predictable path, thereby managing manufacturing precision requirements while maximizing material efficiency.
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 approach reduces material consumption and costs while ensuring the waterproof and thermal insulation capabilities of the membrane, making it suitable for applications like LNG storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
a first line of right and continuous welding is formed on the transverse strip of the first plate so as to assemble it on the third plate
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly method for creating a fluidtight membrane by assembling sheets of fluidtight material, the assembly method comprising: – arranging a first sheet (1), a second sheet (2) and third sheet (3) on a support surface, – creating a first continuous line (6) of welding along the transverse strip of the first sheet (1) which overlaps the third sheet (3); – creating a second continuous line (7) of welding along the longitudinal strip of the second sheet (2) which overlaps the third sheet (3); – arranging a fourth sheet (4) on the support surface; – creating a third continuous line (8) of fillet welding along one longitudinal side (4a) of a corner zone (4c) which exhibits a convex curved portion and along one transverse side (4b) of the fourth sheet (4) so as to assemble the fourth sheet (4) to the first, second and third sheets (1, 2, 3).