Interlocking Protective Mats for Buried Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting buried pipes and cables from damage during excavation are inadequate in terms of ease of installation and effectiveness in preventing disturbance.
Innovation Solution
A system of interlocking protective mats with upper and lower sections, featuring elongated members and grating structures that allow for easy assembly and alignment to cover buried conduits, with protruding elements and recesses for secure interlocking, and openings for liquid and gas passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If protective mats are made as single large pieces, then protection coverage is improved, but installation difficulty and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mat system is divided into multiple smaller modular mats that can be easily handled and installed manually. Each mat is a manageable size that does not require heavy equipment for installation, yet multiple mats can be assembled together to cover large areas of buried conduits, effectively resolving the contradiction between coverage area and installation ease.
2Area of stationary object
If protective mats are made as single large pieces, then protection coverage is improved, but the need for heavy installation equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protective system into multiple small modular mats, the invention eliminates the need for heavy installation equipment. Each mat can be manually positioned and installed, greatly simplifying the installation process and equipment requirements while still achieving comprehensive coverage through assembly of multiple units.
3Strength
If protective mats are solid without openings, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and liquid/gas passage is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mats incorporate an open grid or grating structure with numerous openings throughout the mat body. This porous design significantly reduces the weight of each mat compared to a solid structure, while the grid framework maintains sufficient structural strength to provide effective protection during excavation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat design uses elongated members arranged in grid patterns that concentrate structural strength where needed for protection, while allowing open spaces throughout for weight reduction and fluid passage. This local differentiation of material distribution optimizes both strength and weight characteristics simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If protective mats are made modular, then installation ease is improved, but interlocking reliability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The modular mats are equipped with protruding elements and corresponding recesses that enable them to interlock and merge into a continuous protective barrier. This interlocking mechanism ensures reliable connection between adjacent mats, preventing separation during excavation while maintaining the ease of modular assembly for simple installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective mat for covering buried conduit in the form of a rectangular structure comprising upper and lower sections wherein the upper section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of downward facing open cells, or an open grid or grating and wherein the lower section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of upward facing cells, or an open grid or grating; a forward end that includes one or more protruding elements; and a rearward end that includes one or more recesses that are configured and dimension for receiving the protruding element(s) of a similarly configured adjacent mat. Thus, the protruding element(s) and recess(es) are associated with and located on the lower section of the mat such that the protruding element(s) of one mat can be inserted in the recess(es) of and adjacent mat to interlock the mats together.