Underground Tank Anchor Retention Mechanism for Easier Hooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of underground storage tank (UST) anchors is inefficient due to difficulties in connecting deadmen to hooks, particularly in lowering deadmen into excavation pits and securing straps around the tank.
Innovation Solution
An anchor system with a retention mechanism featuring a base, chambers, and a retention member that can be displaced between open and closed positions to securely engage hooks, along with a locking mechanism using a pin-and-hole system, facilitating easier installation and securing of USTs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional deadmen and connectors are used for anchoring USTs, then the anchoring function is achieved, but the installation process becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into distinct functional segments: a base portion embedded in the pit, a retention member with chambers for receiving hooks, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall installation process by eliminating the need for separate deadmen and connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member acts as an intermediary between the base and the hooks, providing a standardized interface that simplifies connection. The chambers in the retention member receive the hooks directly, eliminating the need for separate connectors and turnbuckles, thereby improving installation efficiency.
2Reliability
If anchors are designed to be secure and reliable, then anchoring strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. Once the retention member is positioned with the hooks in the chambers, the locking mechanism automatically secures them without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. This self-service approach maintains high reliability while minimizing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the retention member structure, merging the retention and locking functions into a single unified component. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining anchoring reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Various anchors and methods for anchoring an underground storage tank are provided. The anchor includes a base and at least one retention mechanism connected to the base for retaining various configurations of hooks and straps for holding the tank. The retention mechanism includes an opening and a retention member that is configured to open or close the opening by displacing or collapsing said retention member. The anchor may include a composite base having a footing and a spine extending upwardly from the footing so as to define footing portions on either side of the spine. The footing and the spine may have a composite composition that includes a matrix material and a reinforcement structure embedded within the matrix material. The retention mechanism may be connected to the spine of the composite base for retaining a hook for anchoring the underground storage tank.