Polyethylene Sea Electrode Support Frame for Corrosion-Free Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sea electrode support frames face issues with chemical degradation, high maintenance costs, and limited ductility due to the use of titanium bolts and fiberglass structures, which are prone to damage from accidental impacts.

Innovation Solution

A submarine support frame made of high-density polyethylene with a reticular structure and connectors, providing excellent chemical resistance, ease of assembly, and enhanced ductility, featuring a cage-like design with protection panels and ballasts for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If titanium bolts are used to assemble fiberglass bars, then the structure achieves chemical resistance, but the structure requires periodic maintenance due to electrolytic degradation of the titanium bolts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidmaintenance-free service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses polyethylene material for both the bars and connectors throughout the entire support frame structure, eliminating material heterogeneity. This homogeneous polyethylene construction ensures uniform chemical resistance and eliminates galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials like titanium and fiberglass, resolving the maintenance issue while preserving chemical resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive titanium bolts with simpler, cheaper polyethylene connectors that are integrated into the overall polyethylene structure. While individual connectors may have limited service life, the entire structure is designed as a replaceable unit, and the connectors themselves are resistant to electrolytic degradation, effectively eliminating periodic maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If titanium bolts and flanges are used for assembling fiberglass bars, then the structure achieves structural integrity, but the assembly becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly time and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the bars and connectors into a single integrated polyethylene structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations. The connectors are molded as integral parts of the polyethylene bars, creating a unified structure that maintains structural integrity while dramatically simplifying manufacturing and eliminating time-consuming bolt assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite polyethylene materials that combine the structural strength needed for support frame integrity with the ease of molding and assembly characteristics of plastics. This allows the structure to achieve required mechanical strength through material properties and design rather than through complex mechanical fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If fiberglass structures are used for support frames, then chemical resistance is achieved, but the structure exhibits poor ductility and is susceptible to impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from fiberglass to polyethylene, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties of the support frame. Polyethylene provides both chemical resistance to electrolytic environments and improved ductility with better impact resistance, while maintaining the required structural strength through appropriate molecular weight selection and structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If a reticular structure with connectors is used instead of bolted assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidstructure design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the support frame into modular bars and connectors made of polyethylene, which can be assembled in a simplified manner. The segmentation allows for easier assembly compared to traditional bolted fiberglass structures, while the modular design can be optimized during manufacturing to balance assembly simplicity with manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4465462A1Submarine support frame for a sea electrode
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 FUTURA SPA
  • EP4465462A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4465462A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4465462A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A submarine support frame (100) for supporting a sea electrode (E); the submarine support frame (100) comprises a reticular structure (101) comprising bars (1, 2, 3) and connectors (4, 5) for connecting the bars (1, 2, 3) to each other; the reticular structure (101) defines a housing (A) wherein the sea electrode (E) is arranged; the bars (1, 2, 3) and the connectors (4, 5) are made of polyethylene.