Modular Bund System With Integrated L-Shaped Wall Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular bund systems require additional liners for liquid containment, increasing complexity and making it difficult to retrofit or extend the height of existing infrastructure, such as liquid storage tanks and machinery.
Innovation Solution
A modular bund system with L-shaped wall members and connecting members that provide a continuous foot portion for support, eliminating the need for additional liners and allowing easy extension of existing bunds, featuring a modular design with angular and linear connecting members for seamless installation and enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional modular bund systems are used, then liquid containment is achieved, but additional liners are required which increase system complexity and make retrofitting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate liner component from the bund system by integrating the liquid impermeable function directly into the wall members through the L-shaped profile. The vertical web of the L-shape creates an inner barrier that eliminates the need for additional liners, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining containment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the structural support function and liquid containment function into a single integrated wall member design. The L-shaped cross-section merges the foot portion (for support) and the vertical web (for containment) into one component, eliminating the need for separate liners and reducing overall system complexity.
2Length of stationary object
If traditional modular bund systems are used, then bund formation is achieved, but extending the height of existing bunds is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bund structure into modular wall members that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The L-shaped wall members with integrated foot portions can be stacked vertically to extend bund height, and the modular design allows easy retrofiting to existing structures without requiring complete reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the bund vertically by stacking L-shaped wall members in the vertical dimension. The integrated foot portion of each member rests on the surface or on previous layers, enabling height extension through vertical stacking rather than horizontal expansion, making retrofiting straightforward.
3Strength
If foot portions extend from wall portions to the interior of the bund, then structural support is provided, but gaps are created between the bottom edge of the wall and the support surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetric L-shaped cross-section where the foot portion extends only from the outer face of the wall member, not from both faces. This asymmetric design allows the foot to provide structural support while the inner vertical web maintains continuous liquid containment without gaps at the bottom edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an L-shaped profile with smooth transitions between the foot portion and vertical web, creating a continuous surface that prevents gap formation. The integrated design ensures no discontinuities exist between the bottom edge and the support surface, eliminating potential leak paths while maintaining structural integrity.
4Reliability
If conventional bund systems are used, then liquid containment is achieved, but the system requires additional components that increase installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped wall member performs multiple functions simultaneously: the foot portion provides structural support and anchoring, while the vertical web provides liquid containment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate liner components, reducing the number of parts to install and simplifying the overall installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated L-shaped design makes the wall member self-sufficient by incorporating both support and containment functions within a single component. The member installs as one unit without requiring additional liner components or complex assembly steps, thereby improving installation ease while maintaining containment reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular bund system (100), and a method of assembling the modular bund system (100). The modular bund system (100) comprises: a plurality of wall members (104), each wall member (104) comprising a foot portion (116); and a plurality of angular connecting members (106), each angular connecting member (106) configured to connect one of the plurality of wall members (104) to another one of the plurality of wall members (104) to form a corner of the bund (100). Each connecting member (106) comprises a first flange (504) configured to overlap a portion of the one of a plurality of wall members (104), and a second flange (506) configured to overlap a portion of the another one of the plurality of wall members (104). The modular bund system (100) further comprises means (600) for sealing each flange (504, 506) to the respective wall member portion such that a liquid impermeable bund is formed.