Flexible Pond Liner Tensioning Tabs for Uplift Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Above-ground containment structures with flexible liners are vulnerable to displacement and damage from wind and air pressure differences, leading to integrity issues and potential tears, especially when no liquid is stored, as they can puff up or be drawn into paddle wheels, causing damage and bacterial growth in crevices.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece drop-in pond liner with a base portion, sidewall portion, and multiple tensioning tabs that extend under and outward from the base to secure against a rigid sidewall, reducing uplift and prolapse, and incorporating a baffle curtain and pocket for paddle wheel integration to prevent bacterial growth and simplify maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible liner is used in an above-ground containment structure, then the structure can prevent liquid from seeping into the ground, but the liner becomes vulnerable to displacement and damage from wind and air pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containment integrityVSAvoidliner position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is divided into multiple segments including a base portion, sidewall portion, and multiple tensioning tabs. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function: the base and sidewall contain liquid while the distributed tensioning tabs provide stable attachment points around the perimeter, preventing displacement without compromising containment integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning tabs are pre-formed and integrated into the liner structure during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for easy installation where the tabs are simply extended and secured to the supporting sidewall, ensuring stability is established before operational stresses are applied

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the liner is secured against a rigid supporting sidewall, then the liner maintains its position, but wind can still rip the liner away from attachment points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner attachment stabilityVSAvoidattachment point strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a single attachment point, multiple tensioning tabs are distributed around the liner's perimeter. This distributes the wind load across multiple attachment points on the rigid supporting sidewall, preventing any single point from experiencing excessive stress that could cause ripping or failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning tabs are made of flexible material that allows them to extend and flex under wind load while maintaining attachment. This flexibility enables the tabs to accommodate dynamic wind forces without breaking the attachment, while still preventing liner displacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If no liquid is stored in the containment structure, then the structure is empty and accessible, but air pressure differences cause the liner to puff upward forming mushroom or muffin top shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure accessibilityVSAvoidliner shape uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning tabs act as counterweights by providing downward and outward tension forces that balance the upward puffing force created by air pressure differences. This prevents the liner from forming mushroom or muffin top shapes while allowing the structure to remain empty and accessible for operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Ease of manufacture

If the liner is allowed to move freely, then the structure is simple to install, but displacement weakens the liner integrity and can cause tears

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidliner integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is segmented with integrated tensioning tabs that are part of the single-piece construction. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while the distributed tab structure provides multiple attachment points that prevent displacement and protect liner integrity during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning tabs are self-contained features of the liner that automatically provide stabilization when installed. The tabs extend and secure to the supporting sidewall, creating self-supporting attachment points that prevent displacement without requiring additional external components or complex installation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10577177B2Flexible pond liner

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 VIAFLEX INC

AI summary

A pond system includes a single-piece drop-in flexible liner sized and shaped to partially suspend within a rigid sidewall, creating a cavity that may function as a liquid reservoir. The single-piece drop-in flexible liner includes a base portion surrounded by a sidewall portion configured to rest adjacent to an interior-facing surface of the rigid sidewall. The single-piece drop-in flexible liner further includes multiple tensioning tabs each with a fixed end attached to the base portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. Each of the multiple tensioning tabs is configured to extend under the rigid sidewall and radially outward from the base portion. The pond system further includes a means for securing the free end of each of the multiple tensioning tabs at a location external to the perimeter enclosed by the rigid sidewall.