Rigid Cable Sheath Assembly for Sloshing-Resistant Insulated Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank designs for transporting liquefied gas on floating structures face inefficiencies in assembly and maintenance of electrical conduits due to the use of bolted metal sections, which are prone to damage from sloshing and require tedious assembly and disassembly, and offer limited impact resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tubular, hollow rigid sheath constructed without bolting, using vertically aligned sections fixed to masts or crossbeams, simplifies assembly and enhances impact resistance by allowing free positioning within the tank, reducing mechanical stress from sloshing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolted metal sections are used to construct the rigid conduit, then structural strength is improved, but assembly complexity and maintenance time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid conduit is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled together. Each section is a self-contained unit with standardized connection interfaces, allowing the conduit to be constructed from discrete components rather than requiring complex bolting of metal sections. This segmentation enables simpler assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design.
2Strength
If bolted metal sections are used to construct the rigid conduit, then structural strength is improved, but maintenance time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into modular sections with standardized connections that can be quickly disconnected and reconnected during maintenance. This allows damaged sections to be replaced independently without requiring disassembly of the entire conduit structure, significantly reducing maintenance time and labor requirements while preserving structural strength through the modular architecture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rigid conduit is positioned to protect it from sloshing impacts, then impact resistance is improved, but positioning flexibility and ease of installation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid conduit incorporates flexible elements or protective coverings that allow it to withstand sloshing impacts without requiring precise positioning to avoid them. The flexible components absorb impact energy, enabling the conduit to be installed in more locations including areas that would otherwise be exposed to sloshing, thereby improving positioning flexibility while maintaining impact resistance.
4Strength
If many bolts are used to assemble the conduit sections, then connection strength is improved, but assembly time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into modular sections with pre-assembled connection interfaces that require minimal fastening elements. The modular design allows sections to be connected using simplified connection mechanisms rather than multiple bolts, significantly reducing assembly time and labor requirements while maintaining connection strength through the engineered interface design.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements and structural components are merged into integrated assemblies that eliminate the need for separate bolting operations. The modular sections incorporate built-in connection features that combine structural support and fastening functions, reducing the number of fastening elements required and improving assembly efficiency while preserving connection strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) comprising a loading/unloading tower (10). The loading/unloading tower (10) comprises first, second, and third masts (11, 12, 13), the masts (11, 12, 13) extending vertically within an internal space (4) of the tank (1) and being spaced apart from each other, and at least one pump (20), the pump (20) being integral with the loading/unloading tower (10) and comprising an electrical power supply unit (23). The tank (1) further comprises a rigid sheath (30), the rigid sheath (30) being hollow and receiving at least one electrical cable (41) connected to the electrical power supply unit (23). The rigid sheath (30) comprises a plurality of vertically aligned sections (31) fixed to the loading/unloading tower (10), each said section (31) being tubular and being separated from an adjacent section of a first set (C1).