Expandable Fluid Enclosure for Trench Wall Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excavation trenches are prone to collapsing, especially during extreme weather conditions, posing hazards to workers and machinery, and are difficult to visualize due to their formation in the ground, leading to accidents and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
An expandable fluid-filled enclosure that conforms to the shape of the trench, providing support to the trench walls and preventing collapse by distributing pressure evenly, while being portable and easy to install and deflate as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid support structure is used to prevent trench collapse, then safety and support capability are improved, but portability and ease of installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic inflatable form. The enclosure can be inflated to provide rigid support when needed and deflated for easy portability and installation, resolving the contradiction between support capability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic inflation to transform a flexible enclosure into a rigid support structure. By introducing fluid under pressure, the soft enclosure becomes stiff enough to prevent trench collapse, while maintaining the ability to be deflated for easy handling
2Reliability
If the enclosure is made rigid to provide support, then support effectiveness is improved, but conformability to trench shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure dynamically adjusts its properties: when deflated it is flexible and can conform to any trench shape; when inflated it becomes rigid to provide effective support. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between conformability and support effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the enclosure is changed by varying the internal pressure. At low pressure the enclosure is flexible and adaptable; at high pressure it becomes rigid and effective for support, allowing both conformability and support effectiveness to be achieved at different stages
3Reliability
If the enclosure is made impermeable to fluid, then pressure retention and support stability are improved, but resistance to puncture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure uses a composite structure with an inner impermeable layer for pressure retention and an outer pierce-resistant material layer for protection against punctures. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between impermeability and puncture resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pierce-resistant layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents punctures before they can compromise the inner impermeable layer, maintaining both pressure retention and durability
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
The solution effectively prevents trench wall collapse during excavation and use, enhances safety by providing a stable working environment, and allows for controlled access to trench segments, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure exerted by the fluid on an internal surface of the enclosure is sufficient to provide support for at least one wall of the trench
Implementation Method 2
an enclosure which is expandable on introduction of a fluid (e.g. air, gas or liquid) to the enclosure, from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A support has an expandable enclosure for use in an excavation. The enclosure is expandable, on introduction of a fluid to the enclosure, from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration. The enclosure is configured such that when the enclosure is in the expanded configuration, and is located in the excavation, pressure exerted by the fluid on an internal surface of the enclosure is sufficient to provide support for at least one wall of the excavation.