Double-T Steel Sheet Pile Groove Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steel sheet piles in double-T form with wedge-shaped coupling beads face challenges in uniform formation during hot rolling, leading to increased costs and potential damage due to trimming and manual rework, as well as issues with weld seam production caused by manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The use of grooves incorporated into the flange ends along the longitudinal edges instead of wedge-shaped coupling beads, allowing for simpler and more reliable formation during hot rolling or subsequent machining, and enabling easier welding with a clamp-shaped lock part that engages into the groove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wedge-shaped coupling beads are formed during hot rolling, then coupling means are provided for connection profiles, but uniform formation is difficult achieving leading to trimming costs and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling bead formationVSAvoidcoupling bead uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming material protrusions (coupling beads) on the flange outer side, the invention inverts the approach by forming grooves (material removals) along the longitudinal edges of the flanges. This inversion simplifies the hot rolling process as grooves are easier to form uniformly than protrusions, eliminating the need for subsequent trimming operations and manual rework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the coupling function from the traditional wedge-shaped bead protrusion and relocates it to grooves formed in the flange. This extraction allows the connection profile to engage with the groove rather than requiring precise matching with a protruding bead, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and eliminating trimming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If trimming is performed to ensure uniform coupling bead height, then coupling bead uniformity is improved, but production costs increase and flange damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling bead height uniformityVSAvoidproduction process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves are formed during the hot rolling process itself, as a preliminary action, rather than requiring subsequent trimming operations. This preliminary formation of grooves with sufficient depth ensures that uniformity is achieved during the primary manufacturing process, eliminating the need for costly and damage-prone trimming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If deposition welding is used to form coupling beads, then automated welding is possible, but incomplete formation requires manual rework

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewelding automationVSAvoidcoupling bead formation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using deposition welding to build up coupling beads (adding material), the invention inverts the approach by forming grooves (removing or displacing material) during hot rolling. This inversion eliminates the reliability issues of incomplete bead formation and manual rework, as grooves are more reliably formed during the hot rolling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Strength

If weld seams are laid between connection profile strips and flange surfaces, then additional connection is achieved, but large gaps caused by manufacturing tolerances make weld seam production difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidweld seam production

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by forming grooves specifically at the longitudinal edges of the flanges where the connection profile engages. This localized groove formation creates a positive mechanical interlock that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and gap variations, making weld seam production easier and more reliable compared to welding across large gaps between flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2246477B1Sheet pile in double-t form

Publication Date: 2019.08.14 ARCELORMITTAL COMML RPS SRL

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AI summary

A steel sheet pile in double-T form comprises a web 12 and two flanges 14, 14', in which each flange 14, 14' has an inner side 18, 18' facing the web 12, an outer side 20, 20' facing away from the web, and two longitudinal edges 22, 22', and also coupling means for a connection profile along at least one longitudinal edge 22, 22' of at least one flange 14, 14'. In a first embodiment, the coupling means are formed by a groove 24, 24' which extends in the outer side 20, 20' of at least one flange 14, 14' along at least one longitudinal edge 22, 22'.