Automated Geomembrane Deployment and Welding With Synchronized Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of geomembranes is laborious, costly, and highly dependent on human skill, with slow welding speeds and quality that is difficult to maintain over large areas, leading to long installation times and potential long-term failures.
Innovation Solution
An automated deployment and welding system comprising a self-guided deployment machine with autonomous power and navigation, and a synchronized welding machine with advanced sensors and control systems, optimizing deployment and welding parameters for high-speed, high-quality geomembrane installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual deployment and welding methods are used, then installation can be performed with simple equipment, but installation time is excessive and quality is highly dependent on operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment machine performs self-positioning and self-alignment using onboard sensors (GPS, inertial measurement units, cameras) to automatically navigate to predetermined locations and orient itself correctly, eliminating the need for continuous manual guidance and ensuring consistent positioning accuracy across all deployment locations
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced by an integrated automated system combining GPS navigation, inertial measurement units for attitude reference, computer vision systems for edge detection, and robotic manipulation mechanisms that automatically deploy and weld geomembranes according to pre-programmed sequences
2Measurement precision
If automated deployment machine with self-guiding capability is used, then deployment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform integrates multiple functions into a single system: navigation (GPS receivers), attitude reference (inertial measurement units), obstacle detection (cameras and sensors), geomembrane deployment (unwinding mechanisms), and welding operations, all controlled by a centralized control system that coordinates these diverse functions through unified software
Solution Approach 2:
An inertial measurement unit serves as a mediator between the GPS system and the deployment mechanisms, providing continuous attitude reference data that enables the control system to maintain accurate orientation and positioning even when GPS signals are temporarily unavailable or insufficient for precise control
3Productivity
If welding speed is increased to reduce installation time, then productivity improves, but welding quality becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors mounted on the welding machine continuously monitor welding parameters including temperature, speed, and geomembrane alignment, feeding this data back to the control system which automatically adjusts welding parameters in real-time to maintain optimal welding conditions even at high speeds
Solution Approach 2:
Manual monitoring and adjustment of welding parameters by operators is replaced by automated sensor systems and control algorithms that continuously optimize welding parameters based on real-time feedback, enabling high-speed welding while maintaining consistent quality through computer-controlled precision
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 system significantly reduces installation times and improves long-term quality by ensuring precise, rapid, and consistent deployment and welding of geomembranes with minimal operator intervention, enhancing environmental guarantees and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The welding machine, also with automatic guidance, which works in synchronization with the deployment machine and guarantees welding quality
Implementation Method 2
An autonomous electrical power generation system installed in the body of said mobile platform, which produces electrical power for the displacement and operation of systems and modules of said deployment machine
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
The deployment machine, welding machine, equipment and method for the automated installation of geomembranes relate to a deployment machine and a welding machine which, in combination, form equipment for the automated installation of geomembranes or membranes. Specifically, the equipment comprises an automatic deployment machine (1) for the deployment of geomembrane rolls (2); a welding machine (3) for welding the deployed geomembranes (2 and 2') which is electronically connected and has self-guiding capability to automatically correct its path and ensure a preset overlapping of the membrane or geomembranes (2) by working in synchronization with the displacement of the deployment machine (1); and a computer control and planning unit. The method comprises: a step for parameterization and mapping of the terrain using 3D topography; a step for planning the deployment and welding using a specific computer system; and a step for deployment and welding comprising simultaneous and automated deployment and welding using a deployment machine (1) and a welding machine (3) synchronized with one another, with a geolocation positioning system and a process monitoring system.