Segmented Dome Clamping for Precise Thin-Walled Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacture of large, thin-walled dome segments for pressure vessels, such as those used in aerospace and automotive industries, faces challenges due to their complex three-dimensional shapes, large dimensions, and extremely small wall thicknesses, leading to dimensional inaccuracies, tolerance deviations, and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a supporting structure and multiple clamping devices, each with a pivotable and foldable tensioning arm, allows for precise clamping and alignment of thin-walled mandrel segments, enabling the distribution of radial forces and moments evenly, and accommodating radial expansion to maintain geometry and tolerance during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple dome segments are successively assembled and joined to form large domes or dome rings, then the required large dimensions and complex three-dimensional shapes can be achieved, but dimensional inaccuracies and tolerance deviations increase, requiring considerable reworking or leading to complete unusability
Solution Approach 1:
The device itself is segmented into multiple identical clamping devices that can independently clamp individual dome segments. Each clamping device is a separate module that can be positioned and adjusted independently, allowing precise control over each segment during assembly while maintaining the ability to manufacture large-scale domes through systematic combination of segments
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping devices feature adjustable clamping forces and movable positioning mechanisms that allow parameters such as clamping pressure, radial position, and angular orientation to be precisely controlled and modified. This enables adaptation to different dome segment sizes and maintains manufacturing precision across various scales of dome production
2Volume of moving object
If multiple dome segments are successively assembled and joined, then large dimensions can be achieved, but the production process becomes extremely complex and time-consuming, resulting in very high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple identical, modular clamping devices that perform the same function. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of the clamping devices themselves and simplifies the overall system architecture, making the production process more manageable and less complex while still enabling the assembly of large domes through repeated use of the same modular units
Solution Approach 2:
Each clamping device is designed as a universal module that can clamp and position any dome segment regardless of its specific size or position in the sequence. The identical design of all clamping devices means that the same tooling and procedures can be used throughout the entire assembly process, significantly reducing production complexity and training requirements compared to having specialized equipment for each step
3Device complexity
If clamping devices are made stationary, then structural simplicity can be maintained, but the ability to accommodate radial expansion and maintain geometry during processing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping devices incorporate movable elements that allow dynamic adjustment during the processing of dome segments. The clamping arms can move radially to accommodate expansion of the dome segments during welding or other thermal processes, while maintaining consistent clamping force and geometric relationships. This dynamic capability is integrated into relatively simple mechanical structures using straightforward linkage mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for clamping and orienting thin-walled dome segments (12), comprising a support structure (18) or similar framework supported on or at a base (20), and at least two, in particular eight, clamping devices (24), received and held by the support structure (18), for receiving, fixing and clamping in each case one thin-walled dome segment (12) to be joined to one or more further thin-walled dome segment(s) (12) to form a dome (14) or dome ring, wherein the at least two, in particular eight, clamping devices (24) are arranged in a common plane (26) about a common longitudinal axis (22) and are movable radially inwards from the outside, and vice versa, in the common plane (26) relative to the common longitudinal axis (22) and/or relative to the further one(s) of the at least two, in particular eight, clamping devices (24), and to the use thereof.