Sealed Tank Wall Wave Reinforcement Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealed tanks with corrugated metal membranes for liquefied gas storage and transport face uneven stress distribution, leading to membrane deformations and inadequate reinforcement, particularly at nodes where wave reinforcements are interrupted, causing twisting and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves continuous alignment and support of wave reinforcements along undulations, with connecting members ensuring alignment and stability between successive wave reinforcements, preventing twisting and enhancing stress distribution across the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wave reinforcements are arranged under corrugations between nodes, then the membrane is reinforced against thermal shrinkage and dynamic pressure, but the reinforcing pieces are interrupted at nodes causing joint displacements and twisting under asymmetrical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wave reinforcement pieces at node locations to form a continuous reinforcing structure. The reinforcement pieces are arranged to overlap and connect at nodes, eliminating the interruptions that cause joint displacements and twisting while maintaining the beneficial reinforcement effects throughout the entire membrane surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions connecting elements at node locations before assembling the wave reinforcement pieces. These connecting elements are prepared in advance to ensure proper alignment and continuity of the reinforcement structure, preventing twisting and maintaining membrane integrity from the outset rather than correcting issues after assembly.
2Stress or pressure
If reinforcing pieces are arranged under corrugations, then stresses from thermal shrinkage and beam bending are reduced, but asymmetrical stresses cause joint displacements and twisting at nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetrical connecting elements at node locations that are specifically designed to counteract asymmetrical stresses. These connecting pieces have non-uniform geometries that provide differential support and constraint at different orientations, balancing the asymmetrical load distribution and preventing joint displacements and twisting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate connecting elements at node locations that act as mediators between adjacent wave reinforcement pieces. These connecting elements transfer and distribute stresses evenly across the node region, preventing the transmission of asymmetrical stresses that would cause joint displacements and maintaining alignment stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If wave reinforcements are interrupted at nodes, then assembly is simplified, but the membrane lacks continuous reinforcement leading to deformations under asymmetrical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wave reinforcement structure into modular segments that can be assembled separately and then connected at nodes. Each segment can be manufactured and positioned independently, maintaining assembly simplicity, while the connecting elements ensure continuous reinforcement alignment across node boundaries, achieving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate connecting elements at node locations that serve as mediators between segmented wave reinforcement pieces. These connecting elements facilitate precise alignment and continuous reinforcement across segments during assembly, ensuring manufacturing precision without complicating the overall assembly process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Sealed wall (1) with a sealed corrugated membrane comprising two series of parallel corrugations forming a plurality of nodes (5) at the intersections of said series of corrugations, wave reinforcements (11) being arranged under the corrugations (3) of the first series of corrugations (3), two successive wave reinforcements (11) in a corrugation (3) each comprising a hollow base plate (15) and a reinforcement portion (16) disposed above the base plate (15), the two wave reinforcements (11) being established in the corrugation (3) on either side of a node (5), a connection member (13) in the vicinity of the node (5) being nested in the base plates (15) of said two wave reinforcements (11) so as to assemble the two wave reinforcements (11) in an aligned position.