Tunnel Sealing Frame With Extruding Elements for Irregular Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems are ineffective in confined spaces with non-uniform surfaces, such as tunnels with protruding elements, as they cannot conform to the obstruction profile or provide a reliable seal against irregular surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising a frame with uniformly spaced apertures around its perimeter, housing pliant elements that extrude outwardly under overpressure to mold to the surface, forming a seal against various surface contours, including irregular and obstructed areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional inflatable barriers are used in tunnels, then they can provide a seal in uniform spaces, but they cannot conform to protruding elements such as railway tracks and pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system divides the continuous inflatable barrier into multiple segmented pliant elements that can independently deform and conform to irregular surfaces. Each element can adapt to local surface variations while maintaining overall sealing integrity through the network of apertures and interconnected structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pliant elements with flexible membranes that can bend and deform to match non-uniform tunnel surfaces. These flexible shells are designed to extrude through apertures and conform to protruding elements like tracks and pipes, providing reliable sealing against irregular geometries.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid frame structure is used for the sealing system, then it provides structural stability, but it cannot adapt to irregular surface contours
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines a stable frame structure with dynamic pliant elements that can change shape in response to surface irregularities. The frame provides anchoring and structural support, while the pliant elements dynamically adapt to conform to the tunnel's non-uniform surface, achieving both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pliant elements are nested within or attached to the frame structure, allowing the flexible components to be housed within the rigid framework. This nested arrangement enables the pliant elements to extrude through apertures in the frame and conform to surfaces while the frame maintains overall structural position and stability.
3Device complexity
If pliant elements are housed within the frame, then the structure remains compact, but the elements cannot effectively reach and seal against distant or irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The pliant elements are pre-positioned within the frame structure in a compact state, ready for deployment. Upon activation, they extrude through apertures in the frame perimeter to reach and seal against the tunnel surface, combining compact storage with extended sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional frame structure to a three-dimensional sealing configuration by extruding pliant elements through apertures. This dimensional transition allows the elements to protrude outward from the frame plane and reach irregular surfaces at various distances, effectively extending the sealing reach while maintaining structural compactness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively forms a temporary, adaptable seal in confined spaces, including tunnels and other orifices, by allowing pliant elements to conform to uneven surfaces, providing an air-tight seal even in the presence of obstacles, and can be rapidly deployed and disengaged.
Implementation Method 1
a means for providing an overpressure to the at least one pliant element, characterised in that the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures uniformly spaced around the perimeter, such that in use initiating the means for providing an overpressure forces the at least one pliant element to extrude outwardly through the plurality of apertures
Implementation Method 2
forces the at least one pliant element to extrude outwardly through the plurality of apertures of the perimeter and mould to the surface to form a seal against the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sealing system, its uses and method of use for forming a seal against a surface, and in particular for plugging and sealing an orifice such as a road or railway tunnel to prevent or minimise the dispersion of hazardous agent(s) in an emergency scenario. The system comprises a frame (200) which can be orientated against a surface (50) of an orifice, frame (10) comprising a perimeter outer surface (180) through which pliant elements (40) can extrude, via apertures (22), following the initiation of a means (30) for providing an overpressure.