Insulating Panel Bonding Using Clamping Tool and Adhesive

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fixing insulating panels to supporting walls in a repeated pattern require a high number of screws or pins, which can complicate the process and increase costs, especially in applications like thermally insulated tanks for liquefied natural gas where reliable and uniform bonding is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A method using anchor members disposed in a repeated pattern on the supporting wall, with insulating panels having adhesives on their lower surfaces and holes for anchor engagement, and a clamping tool with adjustable parts to distribute clamping force across multiple anchor points, allowing for efficient and uniform bonding with a reduced number of anchor members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high number of screws or pins are used to fix insulating panels, then the bonding reliability is improved, but the device complexity and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of anchor members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the insulating panel before installation, allowing the bonding action to begin in advance. The clamp exerts force during the adhesive setting period to ensure proper bonding, after which the clamp can be removed. This preliminary action ensures reliable bonding without requiring permanent multiple anchor points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp acts as an intermediary tool that temporarily provides the necessary clamping force during adhesive setting. Instead of using multiple permanent anchor members, the clamp mediates the bonding process by distributing force across multiple points temporarily, then is removed after serving its purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a high number of anchor members are used, then the bonding uniformity is improved, but the construction time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding uniformityVSAvoidconstruction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is designed with movable elements that can dynamically adjust to distribute clamping force across multiple anchor member locations. The clamp moves or adjusts its position to engage with different anchor members, providing uniform bonding pressure without requiring all anchor members to be permanently installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp serves as a temporary intermediary that provides uniform distribution of bonding force during the critical setting period, then is removed to allow continued construction progress. This eliminates the need for multiple permanent anchor members that would slow down construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple anchor members are installed, then the bonding reliability is improved, but the material cost and loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp acts as a temporary intermediary tool that provides the necessary clamping force during adhesive setting without requiring permanent installation of multiple anchor members. After serving its bonding function, the clamp is removed and can be reused, minimizing material consumption and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp is discarded as a temporary tool after serving its bonding function, rather than being permanently installed like traditional anchor members. This allows recovery and reuse of the clamp on subsequent panels, reducing overall material consumption and construction costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This approach enables reliable and uniform bonding of insulating panels with a limited number of anchor points, simplifying the construction process and reducing costs by allowing temporary use of clamping tools that can be removed after adhesive setting, thus minimizing the need for extensive anchoring.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive disposed on a lower surface of the insulating panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9291307B2Attachment of insulating panels onto a supporting wall in a repeating pattern

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 GAZTRANSPORT & TECHNIGAZ SA

AI summary

A sealed and insulating tank, notably for liquefied natural gas, includes, a supporting wall with anchor members disposed in a repeated pattern, a sealing barrier in contact with a product contained in the tank and a thermal insulation barrier disposed between the sealing barrier and the supporting wall, the thermal insulation barrier including a plurality of insulating panels disposed in the repeated pattern, each insulating panel being fixed to the supporting wall by an adhesive disposed on a lower surface of the insulating panel and one or more anchor members of the supporting wall each cooperating with a hole passing through the insulating panel. The number of anchor members per insulating panel is in the range 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 3. A method of fixing insulating panels employs a clamping tool.