Flexible Anchoring for Thermally Insulating Sealed Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulating tanks for liquefied gases face challenges with stress concentrations at connections between secondary and primary anchoring members, leading to potential damage and degradation of the secondary waterproof membrane due to deformations and displacements caused by thermal gradients and liquid movements.
Innovation Solution
A sealed and flexible connection is established between primary anchoring members and the secondary waterproof membrane using a deformable gasket and sealing washer, allowing relative movement to mitigate stress concentrations and prevent damage during deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connection is used between primary anchoring devices and secondary waterproofing membrane, then structural stability is improved, but stress concentration and potential damage to the membrane occurs during deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid connection into a dynamic, flexible connection. The primary anchoring device includes a rod that passes through the secondary waterproofing membrane, allowing relative movement between the membrane and the anchoring structure. This flexibility enables the system to accommodate thermal deformations and structural movements without causing stress concentration or membrane damage, while still maintaining structural stability through the anchoring mechanism.
2Temperature
If secondary insulation panels are anchored to load-bearing structure, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but deformation and displacement of panels occurs due to thermal gradients and ballast fluid movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the secondary insulation panels to move relative to the load-bearing structure. The anchoring system is designed with flexibility that accommodates panel deformation caused by thermal gradients and ballast fluid movement, preventing stress concentration while maintaining the thermal insulation barrier's integrity and effectiveness.
3Reliability
If primary anchoring devices include welded collar to secondary waterproofing membrane, then watertightness is improved, but stress concentration at weld leads to potential damage of membrane and weld
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the rigid welded collar connection and replaces it with a flexible rod-passing-through-membrane anchoring system. This dynamic connection maintains watertightness through the membrane penetration seal while avoiding stress concentration at rigid weld joints, thereby preventing damage to both the membrane and weld components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rod element that passes through the secondary waterproofing membrane to create the anchoring connection. This intermediary component allows for flexible stress distribution and movement accommodation while maintaining the watertight seal, avoiding the direct rigid connection that causes stress concentration in traditional welded collar designs.
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 ensures a leak-tight and flexible connection, reducing the risk of degradation of the secondary waterproof membrane and maintaining the integrity of the sealed connection, even under conditions of differential contraction and liquid movement.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable gasket (42) connecting said sealing washer (34) and the rod (31) in a watertight manner so as to allow relative movement between the sealing washer (34) and the rod (31)
Implementation Method 2
a secondary thermally insulating barrier (1) intended to be anchored to a load-bearing wall, a secondary airtight membrane (2) resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier (1), a primary thermally insulating barrier (3) resting against the secondary airtight membrane (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a thermally insulating sealed tank comprising a tank wall comprising a secondary insulating barrier (1), a secondary sealed membrane (2), a primary insulating barrier (3) and a primary sealed membrane (4). A plurality of primary anchoring members (12) cooperate with at least one primary insulating panel (11) of the primary insulating barrier (3). A so-called primary anchoring member (12) comprises a base (30), a rod (31) passing through a hole in the secondary sealed membrane (2), a bearing element (16, 54) mounted on the rod (31) and bearing on a primary insulating panel (11), a sealing washer (34) engaged on the rod (31) and comprising a flange (37) sealingly fixed to the secondary sealed membrane (2), and a deformable seal (42) sealingly connecting the sealing washer (34) and the rod in such a way as to allow a relative movement between the sealing washer (34) and the rod.