Pumpable Crib Reinforcing Layer for Mine Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pumpable cribs used in mine openings lack the vertical displacement capability of wooden cribs while providing insufficient support against load failure, as the containment bags rupture under stress.

Innovation Solution

A pumpable crib bag assembly with a containment bag and a reinforcing layer made of polyethylene sheet material, which is helically wrapped around the bag to prevent cementitious material from fracturing and falling out during vertical displacement, enhancing the crib's residual loading characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If pumpable crib containment bags are used to provide high load-bearing capacity, then the crib can withstand larger loads than wooden cribbing, but the containment bags rupture under stress and do not allow for vertical displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidcontainment bag integrity under stress

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the containment bag (textile or fabric material) with a reinforcing layer (polyethylene sheet material) to create a hybrid structure. The containment bag provides flexibility and vertical displacement capability, while the reinforcing layer provides tensile strength and prevents rupture under stress. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both material types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible containment bag made of textile or fabric material that can deform under vertical displacement, combined with a reinforcing layer that acts as a thin film providing structural integrity. The flexible bag allows the crib to accommodate ground movement while the reinforcing layer prevents failure under load, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If wooden cribbing is used to allow vertical displacement, then the crib can accommodate large amounts of vertical displacement prior to failure, but it cannot withstand large loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical displacement capabilityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where the containment bag provides flexibility for vertical displacement while the reinforcing layer provides strength for load bearing. This composite approach allows the crib to simultaneously achieve both vertical displacement capability and high load-bearing capacity, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If a reinforcing layer is added to the containment bag, then the load-bearing capacity and vertical displacement are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidcontainment bag structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin film reinforcing layer made of polyethylene sheet material that is wrapped around the containment bag. This thin film approach provides significant strength enhancement without adding substantial complexity or bulk to the structure, as the reinforcing layer conforms to the existing bag shape and requires minimal additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9181801B2Pumpable crib

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 FCI HOLDINGS DELAWARE LLC

AI summary

A pumpable crib bag assembly includes a containment bag having a body and a supporting member. The containment bag is configured to contain a cementitious material therein and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. The pumpable crib bag assembly further includes a reinforcing layer positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the containment bag.