Modular Low-Drag Chisel Installation for Sub-Surface Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane installation devices for sub-surface water retention systems on sandy soils are unsafe, inefficient, and difficult to operate due to high drag forces, requiring excessive horsepower, posing safety risks to field crews and limiting their effectiveness and commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A novel membrane installation device with integrated chisels, hydraulic adjustment, precision membrane handling, and automated features for safe, high-speed installation, including modular expansion, quick changeover, and simultaneous drip tape installation, designed to minimize soil drag and enhance operational safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional membrane installation devices are used, then membrane installation can be performed, but excessive horsepower is required due to high drag forces
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a rounded, streamlined front profile instead of a flat or angular design. This curved geometry reduces soil resistance and drag forces by allowing soil to flow around the device more smoothly, thereby reducing the excessive horsepower requirements for pulling the device through the field during membrane installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device modifies physical parameters such as width, depth, and overall geometry to optimize the profile dimensions. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the device achieves a balance between minimizing drag forces (reducing horsepower requirements) and maintaining effectiveness for membrane installation in various soil conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional membrane installation devices are used, then membrane installation can be performed, but safety risks to field crews are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems. Automated membrane feeding, cutting, and installation mechanisms eliminate the need for field crews to perform dangerous manual tasks near moving parts, thereby reducing safety risks while managing device complexity through integration of automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-contained safety features and automated operational controls that reduce human intervention in hazardous areas. The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment functions, allowing operation with minimal crew exposure to safety risks while maintaining coordinated control over the installation process.
3Productivity
If conventional membrane installation devices are used, then membrane installation can be performed, but installation speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements continuous membrane feeding and installation mechanisms that eliminate interruptions and pauses in the installation process. The automated system maintains continuous operation by seamlessly handling membrane unrolling, positioning, and deposition, thereby increasing installation speed while managing complexity through integrated continuous-operation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary preparation functions such as pre-positioning the membrane, pre-cutting to required lengths, and pre-configuring installation parameters before actual membrane deposition. This advance preparation enables faster installation speeds by eliminating setup delays during the installation process, while organizing device complexity into sequential operational stages.
4Productivity
If conventional membrane installation devices are used, then membrane installation can be performed, but operational efficiency is reduced due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces manual mechanical operations with automated control systems. Sensors, actuators, and control mechanisms automatically manage membrane feeding, device positioning, cutting operations, and installation parameters, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and thereby improving operational efficiency while integrating automated subsystems to manage overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-surface membrane deposition device including a movable frame, at least one chisel attached to the frame, hydraulics to raise and lower the at least one chisel from the frame, and a membrane deployable to a sub-surface level by the at least one chisel as the movable frame is moved. Also provided is a method of deposing a membrane to a sub-surface level that includes providing a movable frame, at least one chisel attached to the frame, hydraulics to raise and lower the at least one chisel from the frame, and a membrane. The method including lowering the at least one chisel with the hydraulics to the sub-surface level, moving the frame and at least one chisel forward, and deploying the membrane to the sub-surface level with the at least one chisel.