Digester Platform Adhering to Tank Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing platforms for biogas digesters are limited to concrete or steel tanks due to the requirement for a supporting pillar, which restricts their use in earth or reinforced earth digesters and are unstable due to rigid connection to the side wall, affecting stability during soil settlement.

Innovation Solution

A platform with a shape-matching fixing portion made of metal or polymeric materials that adheres directly to the digester tank's surface, eliminating the need for a supporting pillar and incorporating counterweights and anchor members to maintain stability, suitable for earth or reinforced earth embankments and accommodating soil settlement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a supporting pillar is used to ensure platform stability, then the platform can support the operating portion, but the platform becomes restricted to concrete or steel digesters with vertical side walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different digester types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the supporting pillar from the platform structure, eliminating the component that caused restriction to vertical-walled digesters. The platform is redesigned to function without this internal support element, allowing adaptation to trapezoidal embankments of earth and reinforced earth digesters while maintaining stability through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The platform is designed with universal applicability across different digester types (concrete, steel, earth, and reinforced earth). The fixing portion and anchor means are configured to accommodate various wall geometries, transforming the platform from a specialized component for vertical walls to a multi-functional solution suitable for both vertical and trapezoidal embankments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the platform is rigidly connected to the side wall, then the platform structure is stable, but the platform cannot accommodate soil settlement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structural stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of soil settlement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the platform and digester wall transitions from a purely rigid static connection to a dynamic system that can adapt to wall movement. The anchor means embedded in the embankment allow the platform to maintain its position while accommodating gradual soil settlement, transforming the rigid structure into one that can dynamically adjust to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The platform design incorporates预先 compensation for soil settlement through its anchoring system. The anchor means are positioned and configured to anticipate and accommodate future wall movement, allowing the platform to maintain stability during settlement without requiring post-installation adjustment or causing structural failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the platform uses a shape-matching fixing portion made of metal or polymeric materials, then the platform can adhere directly to the digester tank surface eliminating the supporting pillar, but additional waterproofing measures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform structure simplificationVSAvoidwaterproofing implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Waterproofing solutions act as an intermediary layer between the metal or polymeric fixing portion and the earth or reinforced earth digester wall. This mediator prevents direct contact between water/moisture and the platform materials, eliminating corrosion risks while allowing the simplified structure without supporting pillars to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4071233A1Platforms for digesters
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 ALVUS SRL
  • EP4071233A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4071233A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4071233A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A platform (1) for digesters comprising: a fixing portion (2) for fixing the platform (1) to a side wall (4) of a digester tank; an operating portion (3) connected to the fixing portion (2) and comprising coupling means adapted to house and support at least one active component of the digester, said operating portion (3) comprising anchor means for a cover (6) of the digester; fixing means (5) for fixing the fixing portion (2) to the side wall (4) of the digester tank; fixing means (5) for fixing the fixing portion (2) to the side wall (4) of the digester tank; wherein the fixing portion (2) has a single profile whose shape matches a surface portion (41) of the side wall (4) of the digester tank to completely adhere to it; the fixing means (5) are adapted to keep the fixing portion (2) adhered to the surface portion (41) of the side wall (4) of the digester tank to support at least the operating portion (3).