Hollow Buffer Pipes for Internal Floating Roof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peripheral sealing assemblies for internal floating roofs in liquid storage tanks face issues with buffering, buoyancy, and sealing effectiveness, as well as contamination and disintegration of polyurethane foam materials when exposed to liquids, leading to potential leakage and damage to delivery pumps.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral sealing assembly comprising a fixing frame, an enclosure, and a plurality of hollow buffer pipes made of closed cell foam, which are inserted into a looped receiving space and fixed to each other for improved deformable characteristics, increased floatability, and resistance to oil and volatile organic substances, preventing disintegration and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid sponge made from polyurethane foam is used as the sealing member, then the sealing assembly can provide buffering and sealing effects, but the sponge absorbs liquid over time, disintegrates, and contaminates the stored liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hollow buffer pipes with closed-cell foam structure instead of solid polyurethane sponge. The hollow structure prevents liquid absorption while maintaining buffering capability through air cushioning effects. The closed-cell foam provides structural integrity without the liquid absorption problems of open-cell sponges.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing assembly combines multiple materials with complementary properties: hollow buffer pipes for buoyancy and impact absorption, resilient sealing members for gap sealing, and a support wire frame for structural stability. This composite structure achieves reliable sealing without the harmful liquid absorption effects of solid foam.
2Reliability
If a resilient sealing member is used to buffer impacts and seal gaps, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the structure becomes less stable and more prone to disintegration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient sealing member that functions as a flexible element within a rigid framework. The sealing member can deform to accommodate gaps and provide sealing, while the hollow buffer pipes and support wire frame maintain overall structural stability and prevent disintegration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing assembly is divided into discrete components: multiple hollow buffer pipes arranged in arrays, resilient sealing members, and support wire frames. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to overall structural stability, preventing the disintegration problems of monolithic foam structures.
3Force
If solid foam material is used for buffering, then impact absorption is provided, but the material disintegrates when immersed in liquid for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow buffer pipes utilize a closed-cell foam structure that provides impact buffering through compressibility while resisting liquid penetration. The closed cells prevent liquid absorption that would otherwise cause disintegration, extending service life in liquid environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces long-lived solid foam structures with hollow buffer pipes that have extended service life. The hollow structure with closed-cell foam resists liquid degradation, effectively creating a durable, long-lasting buffering component that does not require frequent replacement.
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 enhances buffering and sealing capabilities, maintains floatability, and reduces the risk of contamination, providing a stable and effective seal that prevents liquid leakage and pump damage, while maintaining structural integrity over time.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the buffer pipes is hollow, extends along the looped receiving space, and has a lengthwise outer peripheral surface fixed to the lengthwise outer peripheral surfaces of two adjacent ones of the buffer pipes
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of buffer pipes made of closed cell foam, which are inserted into a looped receiving space and fixed to each other for improved deformable characteristics, increased floatability, and resistance to oil and volatile organic substances, preventing disintegration and contamination
Implementation Method 3
Each of the buffer pipes is hollow, extends along the looped receiving space, and has a lengthwise outer peripheral surface fixed to the lengthwise outer peripheral surfaces of two adjacent ones of the buffer pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral sealing assembly for connection with a buoyant panel unit usable in a liquid storage tank includes a fixing frame, an enclosure, and a buffer pipes. The fixing frame connects the buoyant panel unit. The enclosure is fixed to the fixing frame to sealingly contact an inner surrounding wall of the liquid storage tank. The enclosure defines a looped receiving space between the inner surrounding wall and the buoyant panel unit. The buffer pipes are inserted into the looped receiving space. Each buffer pipe is hollow, extends along the looped receiving space and has a lengthwise outer peripheral surface fixed to the lengthwise outer peripheral surfaces of two adjacent other buffer pipes.