FR3139868A1 - Anchor strip and method of manufacturing such an anchor strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an anchor strip (20) comprising: a lower surface (21) extending along a first plane (P1), an upper surface (22) extending along a second plane (P2), substantially parallel in the first plane (P1) and arranged above the first plane (P1) along an axis (Z), substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), at least one passage channel (23) s 'extending around the axis (Z) and passing through the anchoring strip between a first orifice (24) arranged in the second plane (P2) and a second orifice (25), the at least one passage channel (23) being of increasing section from an intermediate orifice (26), disposed between the first orifice (24) and the second orifice (25), towards the first orifice (24), the anchoring strip being characterized in that the second orifice ( 25) is located in a third plane (P3), substantially parallel to the first plane (P1) and to the second plane (P2), the third plane (P3) being arranged under the second plane (P2) along the axis (Z) . Figure 4

Description

Anchor strip and method of manufacturing such an anchor strip

The present invention relates to an anchor strip and a method of manufacturing an anchor strip.

Such an anchoring strip is more particularly intended to be implemented in a waterproof and thermally insulating tank for the transport and/or storage of liquefied gas.

In what follows, and by convention, the terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element relative to another, with reference to the interior and exterior of the tank.

Each tank wall successively presents, in the direction of thickness, from the inside to the outside of the tank, at least one sealing membrane, in contact with the fluid contained in the tank, a thermally insulating barrier and a supporting structure. Alternatively, a wall can also have two levels of waterproofing and thermal insulation.

There represents a heat-insulating panel 1 suitable for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank known from the prior art. Panel 1 here has substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. It comprises a layer of insulating lining 2 sandwiched between an internal rigid plate 3 and an external rigid plate 4. The internal 3 and external 4 rigid plates are, for example, plywood plates glued to said layer of insulating lining 2. The insulating pad may be an insulating polymer foam, in particular a polyurethane-based foam. The polymer foam can advantageously be reinforced with glass fibers helping to reduce its thermal contraction. Note that panel 1 can take a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

For example, panel 1 has a length of 3 meters and a width of 1 meter. The internal plywood plate 3 may have a thickness of 12 mm; the outer plywood plate 4, a thickness of 9 mm, and the insulating pad layer 2, a thickness of 200 mm. Of course, the dimensions and thicknesses are given as an indication and vary depending on the applications and the desired thermal insulation performance. In addition, other insulating materials can constitute the insulating trim of the panel.

The internal surface of the panel 1 comprises anchoring strips, or metal plates, 5, 6 intended to anchor metal plates 7 (an example of which is illustrated in Figure ) constituting the waterproofing membrane. For example, anchor strips 5 extend longitudinally on the internal plate 3 of panel 1 and anchor strips 6 extend transversely. The anchoring strips 5, 6 are generally riveted to the internal plate 3 of the panel 1. The anchoring strips 5, 6 can in particular be made of stainless steel or Invar ®: an alloy of iron and nickel whose property main thing is to have a very low expansion coefficient. The thickness of the anchoring strips 5, 6 of the prior art is, for example, of the order of 2 mm. The anchoring between the metal plate 7 and the anchoring strips 5, 6 is produced by discontinuous welds. Thus, the anchoring strips 5, 6 are typically riveted to the panel 1. The metal plate 7 is itself welded to the anchoring strips, thus ensuring the fixing of the metal plate 7 to the panel 1.

The waterproofing membrane is obtained by assembling multiple metal plates 7, welded to each other along their edges. A metal plate 7 generally comprises a first series of parallel corrugations, called low 8, extending in a direction y and a second series of parallel corrugations, called high 9, extending in a direction x. The x and y directions of the series of undulations 8, 9 are perpendicular. The corrugations 8, 9 project from the side of the internal face of the metal plate 7. The edges of the metal plate 7 are here parallel to the corrugations 8 and 9. The metal plate 7 comprises between the corrugations 8, 9 a plurality of surfaces planes 11. Note that the terms “high” and “low” have a relative meaning and mean that the first series of undulations 8 has a height lower than the second series of undulations 9. At the level of an intersection 10 between a low undulation 8 and a high undulation 9, the low undulation is discontinuous, that is to say it is interrupted by a fold which extends the summit edge of the high undulation 9 by projecting above of the top edge of the lower corrugation 8. The corrugations 8, 9 allow the sealing membrane to be substantially flexible in order to be able to deform under the effect of stresses, in particular thermal, generated by the fluid ( at very low temperature) stored in the tank.

The metal plate 7 is made of stainless steel or aluminum sheet, shaped by folding or stamping. Other metals or alloys are also possible. For example, the metal plate 7 has a thickness of approximately 1.2 mm. Other thicknesses are also possible, knowing that a thickening of the metal plate 7 leads to an increase in its cost and generally increases the rigidity of the corrugations.

A metal plate 7 is positioned on a heat-insulating panel 1. The metal plates 7 can for example be arranged offset, half-length and half-width relative to the heat-insulating panel 1. A wall can therefore comprise a plurality of heat-insulating panels 1 and a plurality of metal plates 7 and each of said metal plates 7 extends over four adjacent heat-insulating panels 1.

One of the longitudinal edges 12 of the metal plate 7 is anchored on the heat-insulating panel 1, by welding said longitudinal edge 12 to the anchoring strips 5. Likewise, one of the transverse edges 13 is anchored on the heat-insulating panel 1, by welding of said transverse edge 13 on the anchoring strips 6. The anchoring zones between the metal plate 7 and the heat-insulating panel 1 are located on either side of the corrugations 8, 9. In other words, the zones d anchoring are formed at the interface between planar portions 11 of the edges 12, 13 of the metal plates 7, extending on either side of the undulations 8, 9, and the anchoring strips 5, 6.

The anchoring strips 5, 6 are generally arranged in grooves present on the panel 1, in the internal rigid plate 3 (typically a plywood plate). Each anchor strip is fixed to the internal rigid plate by at least one rivet. Typically, an anchor strip has two through openings, so that it is attached to the panel by two rivets.

There represents a sectional view of an assembly of an anchoring strip 5 on the panel 1 (that is to say on the plate 3) by means of a rivet 14 as produced in the prior art. The through hole, or passage channel, of the anchor strip through which the rivet is placed is obtained by drilling or machining. Generally an anchor strip comprises two through openings (or passage channels), each intended to receive a rivet in order to fix the anchor strip on the panel 1.

In the cutting plane of the , it can also be noted that once in place, the rivet does not protrude beyond the anchoring strip 5, the anchoring strip 5 itself being arranged in a groove in the panel 1. The upper part of the rivet 14 is at a distance d from the upper surface of the anchor strip. In other words, the shape of the rivet allows it to be positioned under the anchoring strip. The rivet is therefore integrated into panel 1. Thus, this assembly does not present any protrusion which would be damaging to the waterproofing membrane, both in terms of positioning and potential scratches.

Although generally satisfactory, this solution has a drawback: the rivet 14 is in conical contact with the anchoring strip 5 and the upper part of the panel. The result is that the assembly of the rivets with the anchor strip is over-constrained due to the assembly geometry: the conical-conical contact and the precise positioning of the rivet in the passage channel. This results in the assembly not being correctly controlled. This may result in assembly defects. For example, such an assembly geometry can generate problems with protrusion of the rivet when it is poorly positioned, particularly due to manufacturing tolerances.

The invention aims to overcome all or part of the problems cited above by proposing a new anchor strip geometry allowing the integration of different types of rivets. The proposed anchor strip guarantees easy assembly without geometric over-constraints.

• une surface inférieure s’étendant selon un premier plan,
• une surface supérieure s’étendant selon un deuxième plan, sensiblement parallèle au premier plan et disposé au-dessus du premier plan selon un axe, sensiblement perpendiculaire au premier plan et au deuxième plan,
• au moins un canal de passage s’étendant autour de l’axe et traversant la bande d’ancrage entre un premier orifice disposé dans le deuxième plan et un deuxième orifice, le au moins un canal de passage étant de section croissante depuis un orifice intermédiaire, disposé entre le premier orifice et le deuxième orifice, vers le premier orifice,

la bande d’ancrage étant caractérisée en ce que le deuxième orifice se situe dans un troisième plan, sensiblement parallèle au premier plan et au deuxième plan, le troisième plan étant disposé sous le deuxième plan selon l’axe.For this purpose, the invention relates to an anchoring strip comprising:

• a lower surface extending along a first plane,
• an upper surface extending along a second plane, substantially parallel to the first plane and arranged above the first plane along an axis, substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane,
• at least one passage channel extending around the axis and passing through the anchoring strip between a first orifice disposed in the second plane and a second orifice, the at least one passage channel being of increasing section from an intermediate orifice , arranged between the first orifice and the second orifice, towards the first orifice,

the anchoring strip being characterized in that the second orifice is located in a third plane, substantially parallel to the first plane and the second plane, the third plane being arranged under the second plane along the axis.

Advantageously, the at least one passage channel has a substantially constant section between the second orifice and the intermediate orifice.

In one embodiment, the anchoring strip according to the invention further comprises a bearing surface substantially perpendicular to the axis, extending around the perimeter of the intermediate orifice.

Advantageously, the support surface is arranged at a distance from the upper surface, the distance being preferably greater than 0.7 mm, and even more preferably greater than 2 mm.

In one embodiment, the intermediate orifice is located in the foreground.

Advantageously, the anchoring strip according to the invention is made of metallic material, preferably stainless steel.

• Fourniture d’une bande ;

et, simultanément ou séquentiellement dans un ordre quelconque :

• Perçage de la bande selon l’axe par utilisation d’un poinçon dit de perçage, pour former le au moins un canal de passage,
• Emboutissage conique de la bande par utilisation d’un poinçon dit d’emboutissage dont l’embout a une forme de cône.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such an anchor strip, said method comprising the following steps:

• Supply of a tape;

and, simultaneously or sequentially in any order:

• Drilling the strip along the axis using a so-called drilling punch, to form at least one passage channel,
• Conical stamping of the strip using a so-called stamping punch whose tip has a cone shape.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the stamping step comprises a step of forming a bearing surface substantially perpendicular to the axis, extending around the perimeter of the intermediate orifice.

In one embodiment of the invention, the manufacturing method according to the invention may further comprise a step of cutting the strip to obtain the anchoring strip.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stamping step is carried out after the drilling step.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drilling and stamping steps of the process are successively carried out on two different stations, a first station of which comprises the so-called drilling punch and a first die and the second station comprises the so-called punch. stamping machine and a second die, with transfer operation at each stage from one station to the next.

In another embodiment of the invention, the drilling and stamping steps of the process are successively carried out on the same station, comprising a punch and die tool, with a change of punch at each step.

• au moins un panneau thermiquement isolant destiné à reposer, directement ou indirectement, contre une structure porteuse,
• une membrane d’étanchéité qui repose contre le panneau thermiquement isolant et destinée à être en contact avec le gaz liquéfié contenu dans la cuve,

le panneau thermiquement isolant comprenant au moins une zone d’ancrage dans laquelle est disposée une bande d’ancrage selon l’invention, la au moins une zone d’ancrage étant de forme complémentaire avec la bande d’ancrage, rigidement fixée au panneau thermiquement isolant, et la membrane d’étanchéité étant fixée à la surface supérieure de la au moins une bande d’ancrage.The invention also relates to a wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall comprising successively, in a thickness direction from the outside to the inside:

• at least one thermally insulating panel intended to rest, directly or indirectly, against a supporting structure,
• a sealing membrane which rests against the thermally insulating panel and intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank,

the thermally insulating panel comprising at least one anchoring zone in which an anchoring strip according to the invention is arranged, the at least one anchoring zone being of complementary shape with the anchoring strip, rigidly fixed to the panel thermally insulation, and the waterproofing membrane being fixed to the upper surface of the at least one anchoring strip.

The invention also relates to a waterproof and thermally insulating tank of a ship intended to contain a liquefied gas comprising at least one such wall.

Finally, the invention also relates to a ship comprising a hull forming a supporting structure and such a tank anchored on said supporting structure.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the anchor strip as described above.

• obtenir un fichier électronique représentant une géométrie de la bande d’ancrage décrite précédemment ; et
• commander un appareil de fabrication additive pour fabriquer, en une ou plusieurs étapes de fabrication additive, la bande d’ancrage selon la géométrie spécifiée dans le fichier électronique.

The invention also relates, in an alternative to the method previously mentioned, to the method of manufacturing an anchor strip by additive manufacturing, the method comprising:

• obtain an electronic file representing a geometry of the anchor strip described above; And
• order an additive manufacturing device to manufacture, in one or more additive manufacturing steps, the anchor strip according to the geometry specified in the electronic file.

As used herein, "additive manufacturing" generally refers to manufacturing processes in which successive layers of material(s) are arranged on top of each other to layer-by-layer "build up" or "additively manufacture" the web. anchor.

This is compared to the effective subtraction of manufacturing processes (such as milling or drilling), in which material is successively removed to make the anchor strip. Successive layers typically fuse together to form a monolithic component that may have a variety of integral subcomponents.

In particular, the manufacturing method may allow the anchor strip to be integrally formed and include a wider variety of features than when using prior manufacturing methods.

For example, the characteristics of the anchor strip such as the variation of the flared portion between the intermediate orifice and the first orifice can be obtained in wide variations which would be difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing techniques.

A common example of additive manufacturing is 3D printing; however, other additive manufacturing methods are available.

Rapid prototyping or rapid manufacturing are also terms that can be used to describe additive manufacturing processes.

Additive manufacturing allows manufacturing to any suitable size and shape with various characteristics that may not have been possible with previous manufacturing processes.

Additive manufacturing can create complex geometries without the use of tools, molds or fixtures of any kind, and with little or no waste. Instead of machining the anchor strip from coils of metal, part of which is cut/machined and discarded, the only material used in additive manufacturing is what is needed to shape the part. As such, the anchor strip can be manufactured for a particular application, i.e. the anchor strip can be adapted to a particular environment.

Suitable additive manufacturing techniques according to the present invention include, for example, fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), 3D printing such as inkjet and laser jet, stereolithography (SLA), direct selective laser sintering (DSLS), electron beam sintering (EBS), electron beam melting (EBM), laser sharp shaping (LENS), Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM), Laser Net Shape Manufacturing (LNSM), Direct Metal Deposition (DMD), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Continuous Digital Light Processing (CDLP) ), direct selective laser melting (DSLM), selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser melting (DMLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), material jetting (MJ), material jetting nanoparticles (NPJ), Drop On Demand (DOD), Binder Jetting (BJ), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) and other known processes.

The additive manufacturing described here can be used to form components using any suitable material.

For example, the material may be plastic, metal, composite, ceramic, polymer, epoxy or any other suitable material which may be in solid, liquid, powder, sheet, wire or any other material.

More specifically, the anchor strip described herein may be formed in part, in whole or in a combination of materials including, but not limited to, pure metals, nickel alloys, chromium alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, iron alloys, stainless steel and superalloys based on nickel or cobalt (for example, those available under the name Inconel® available from Special Metals Corporation). These materials are examples of materials suitable for use in additive manufacturing processes that may be suitable for manufacturing the anchor strip described here. Preferably, stainless steel will be used for the example of use as an anchor strip for a waterproofing membrane on a plywood panel.

As noted above, the additive manufacturing process described here allows a single component, such as the anchor strip, to be formed from multiple materials.

Thus, the anchor strip described herein may be formed from any suitable mixtures of the above materials. For example, a component may include multiple layers, segments, or parts that are formed using different materials, processes, and/or on different additive manufacturing machines. In this way, components can be constructed with different materials and material properties to meet the requirements of a particular application.

Forming the anchor strip through additive manufacturing reduces waste compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques or machining processes in which parts are cut from larger blocks of material.

The structure of the product (the anchor strip) can be represented digitally in the form of a design file.

A design file, or computer-aided design file (also known by its acronym CAD), is a configuration file that encodes one or more of the surface or volumetric configurations of the product shape. Simply put, a design file represents the geometric layout or shape of the product.

Design files can take any file format known or later developed. For example, design files may be in the Stereolithography or "Standard Tessellation Language" (.stl) format which was created for 3D Systems' stereolithography CAD programs, or in the Additive Manufacturing File (.amf) format, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) based format designed to allow any CAD software to describe the shape and composition of any three-dimensional object to be manufactured on any additive manufacturing printer .

Other examples of design file formats include AutoCAD files (.dwg), Blender files (.blend), Parasolid files (.x_t), 3D Manufacturing Format files (.3mf), Autodesk files (3ds ), Collada files (.dae) and Wavefront files (.obj), although many other file formats exist.

Design files can be produced using modeling (e.g. CAD modeling) and/or by scanning the surface of a product to measure the surface configuration of the product.

Once obtained, a design file can be converted into a set of computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing device for producing a product according to the geometric arrangement specified in the design file.

The conversion can convert the design file into slices or layers that need to be formed sequentially by the additive manufacturing device.

Instructions (also known as geometric code or "G code") can be calibrated for the specific additive manufacturing device and can specify the precise location and quantity of material that should be formed at each step of the additive manufacturing process. manufacturing.

As discussed above, forming can be done by deposition, sintering, or any other form of additive manufacturing process.

Code or instructions can be translated between different formats, converted into a set of data signals and transmitted, received as a set of data signals and converted into code, stored, if necessary.

The instructions may be an input to the additive manufacturing system and may come from a part designer, an intellectual property provider, a design firm, the operator or owner of the additive manufacturing system, or other sources.

An additive manufacturing system may execute the instructions to manufacture the product using any of the technologies or processes described herein.

Design files or computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (transient or not) (e.g., memory, storage system, etc.) storing representative, computer-readable code or instructions of the product to be manufactured.

As noted, the computer-readable code or instructions defining the product can be used to physically generate the object, when the code or instructions are executed by an additive manufacturing system.

For example, instructions may include a precisely defined 3D model of the product and may be generated from any of a wide variety of well-known computer-aided design (CAD) software systems such as AutoCAD®, TurboCAD®, DesignCAD 3D Max, etc.

Alternatively, a model or prototype of the component may be scanned to determine three-dimensional information of the component.

Therefore, by controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus according to the computer executable instructions, the additive manufacturing apparatus can be instructed to print the product.

In light of the foregoing, embodiments include additive manufacturing manufacturing methods.

This includes the steps of obtaining a design file representing the product and instructing an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product in assembled or unassembled form depending on the design file.

The additive manufacturing apparatus may include a processor that is configured to automatically convert the design file into computer-executable instructions to control manufacturing of the product.

In these embodiments, the design file itself can automatically cause the product to be manufactured once entered into the additive manufacturing device.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the design file itself can be viewed as computer executable instructions that cause the additive manufacturing device to manufacture the product.

Alternatively, the design file may be converted into instructions by an external computer system, with the resulting computer executable instructions provided to the additive manufacturing device.

In view of the foregoing, the design and manufacture of implementations of the subject matter and operations described in this specification may be carried out using digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware or hardware, including the structures described in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combination of one or more of them.

For example, hardware may include processors, microprocessors, electronic circuits, electronic components, integrated circuits, etc.

The implementations of the object described in this disclosure can be carried out using one or more computer programs, that is to say one or more computer program instruction modules, encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing device.

Alternatively or additionally, the program instructions may be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiving device for execution by a data processing device.

A computer storage medium may be, or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them.

Additionally, while a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium may be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal.

The computer storage media may also be, or included in, one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

Although additive manufacturing technology is described here as enabling the manufacturing of complex objects by building objects point by point, layer by layer, generally in a vertical direction, other manufacturing processes are possible and within the scope of this subject.

For example, although the discussion here refers to the addition of material to form successive layers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and structures described herein can be put into practice with any additive manufacturing technique or other manufacturing technology.

Aspects of the inventions described may include one or more examples, embodiments, or features in isolation or in various combinations, whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in such combination or in isolation.

These characteristics and advantages, and others, of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:

There represents a heat-insulating panel 1 suitable for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank known from the prior art;

There represents an example of a metal plate constituting a sealing membrane of the prior art;

There represents a sectional view of an assembly of an anchor strip on a panel by means of a rivet as produced in the prior art;

There represents a sectional view of a first embodiment of an anchor strip according to the invention;

There represents a view of a second embodiment of the anchor strip according to the invention;

There represents a sectional view of the second embodiment of the anchor strip according to the invention;

There represents a sectional view of a third embodiment of the anchor strip according to the invention;

There represents a sectional view of an assembly of an anchor strip according to the invention on a panel portion;

There schematically represents a method of manufacturing an anchor strip according to the invention.

For the sake of clarity, the same elements will carry the same references in the different figures.

There represents a heat-insulating panel 1 adapted for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank known from the prior art. This figure has already been described above.

There represents an example of a metal plate constituting a sealing membrane of the prior art, and has already been described above.

There represents a sectional view of an assembly of an anchor strip on a panel by means of a rivet as produced in the prior art. This figure has already been discussed previously.

In what follows, the anchoring strip, also known as the anchoring plate, or by the Anglo-Saxon term "anchoring strip", defines a strip that is placed on a panel, preferably in a groove dedicated to the panel and of complementary shape to the anchoring strip, which is fixed to the panel in order to make it integral with the panel. Subsequently, the anchor strip constitutes the fixing support, typically by welding, of the waterproofing membrane on the panel.

There represents a sectional view of a first embodiment of an anchor strip 20 according to the invention. The anchoring strip 20 comprises a lower surface 21 extending along a first plane P1. The terms "lower" and "upper" are used to define the relative position of one element relative to another, along an axis perpendicular to the surface 21. The anchor strip 20 comprises an upper surface 22 extending along a second plane P2, substantially parallel to the first plane P1 and arranged above the first plane P1 along an axis Z, substantially perpendicular to the first plane P1 and to the second plane P2. In other words, by moving along the Z axis in the direction shown on the , surface 22 is placed above surface 21.

The anchoring strip 20 comprises at least one passage channel 23 extending around the axis Z passing through the anchoring strip between a first orifice 24 disposed in the second plane P2 and a second orifice 25, the at least one passage channel 23 being of increasing section from an intermediate orifice 26, disposed between the first orifice 24 and the second orifice 25, towards the first orifice 24. In other words, the passage channel 23 has a shape flared from the intermediate orifice towards the first orifice.

According to the invention, the second orifice 25 is located in a third plane P3, substantially parallel to the first plane P1 and to the second plane P2, the third plane P3 being arranged under the second plane P2 along the axis Z. In other words, the anchor strip extends mainly between its lower surface 21 and its upper surface 22 and has, at the level of the passage channel 23, a protrusion extending under the lower surface 21.

The anchoring strip according to the invention advantageously comprises two passage channels 23, spaced from one another, as shown in the .

Let us recall here that the fixing of an anchor strip 20 on its panel is carried out by means of a rivet placed in each of the passage channels 23. The panel (or the panel groove) is therefore positioned under the strip of anchor 20, in contact with the lower surface 21. The rivet is positioned in the passage channel 23. The flared portion between the intermediate orifice 26 and the first orifice 24 is intended to receive the head of the rivet in order to avoid any overhang of the rivet head. The invention is described using the example of a rivet. The same principle applies with any other anchoring element comprising a head, such as a screw.

The particular geometry of the anchor strip according to the invention with the protrusion under the lower surface allows the anchor strip to be in contact with the panel to allow the assembly of the anchor strip 20 to the panel by rivet. In addition, the rivet head is not in conical-conical contact with the panel-anchoring strip assembly. This anchor strip configuration makes it possible to consider new assembly methods that were not previously possible.

There represents a view of a second embodiment of the anchor strip 30 according to the invention. As can be seen, the anchor strip preferably comprises two passage channels 23. This second embodiment is described in detail below.

There represents a sectional view of the second embodiment of the anchor strip 30 according to the invention. The anchor strip 30 is identical to the anchor strip 20 described previously. The anchoring strip 30 further comprises a bearing surface 31 substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, extending around the periphery 32 of the intermediate orifice 26.

The support surface 31 makes it possible to provide a support surface for the head of an anchoring element such as a rivet or a screw. The advantage of having the support surface 31 around the intermediate orifice is to be able to decorrelate the positioning function from the support function. This therefore ensures that the part is not over-constrained. Additionally, this allows the use of different types of anchor elements to attach the anchor strip to the panel.

Advantageously, the support surface is arranged at a distance from the upper surface 22, the distance between the support surface and the upper surface 22 being preferably greater than 0.7 mm, or even greater than 1 mm, and even more preferably greater than 2mm. This distance guarantees total integration of the rivet head into the anchor strip once in the fixed position. The rivet does not extend beyond the upper surface 22. This guarantees the absence of protrusion likely to damage the sealing membrane.

In the figures presented, the at least one passage channel 23 is of substantially constant section between the second orifice 25 and the intermediate orifice 26. This portion of the passage channel 23 aims to receive the shank of the rivet. However, although less interesting from an industrial point of view, an anchor strip according to the invention could have this same portion with a variable section.

There represents a sectional view of a third embodiment of the anchor strip 40 according to the invention. The anchor strip is identical to the anchor strip 30 presented previously. In the embodiment of the anchor strip 40 presented in , the intermediate orifice 26 is located in the first plane. Thus, in this configuration, the distance between the upper surface 22 and the support surface 31 corresponds to the main thickness of the anchoring strip. This feature makes it easy to manage the protrusion of the rivet head. Indeed, the thickness of the anchor strip therefore makes it possible to determine the maximum height of the tolerable rivet head, that is to say which must not exceed beyond the upper surface 22.

Advantageously, the anchoring strip according to the invention is made of metallic material, preferably stainless steel. However, other metallic materials compatible with the subsequent use of the anchor strip (welding to a metal membrane) are possible. For example, the anchor strip can also be made of Invar® (iron and nickel alloy with a low expansion coefficient).

There represents a sectional view of an assembly 50 of an anchor strip 40 according to the invention on a portion of panel 1. The anchor strip according to the invention is positioned in a groove of the panel 1 provided for this purpose . The groove of the panel 1 therefore has a surface of complementary shape to the lower surface 21 and the lower projection of the anchoring strip 40. The contact zone between the anchoring strip and the groove of the panel is indicated by the reference 52. When fixing the anchor strip 40 to the panel 1, a rivet (not shown) is positioned in the passage channel 23. More precisely, the shank of the rivet is slipped into the passage channel 23 of the anchor strip 40 and in the passage channel of panel 1 aligned with the passage channel 23. And we see that this assembly admits manufacturing tolerances, contrary to what exists in the prior art (see ), thanks to the presence of a clearance. This results in an optimization of the rivet-anchor strip assembly making it possible to meet assembly criteria more efficiently.

• Fourniture (étape 100) d’une bande comprenant une surface inférieure 21 s’étendant selon un premier plan P1, et une surface supérieure 22 s’étendant selon un second plan P2, sensiblement parallèle au premier plan P1 et disposé au-dessus du premier plan P1 selon un axe Z, sensiblement perpendiculaire au premier plan P1 et au deuxième plan P2 ;

et, simultanément ou séquentiellement dans un ordre quelconque :

• Perçage (étape 110) de la bande selon l’axe Z par utilisation d’un poinçon dit de perçage (typiquement un foret), pour former au moins un (et préférentiellement deux) canal de passage 23 traversant la bande d’ancrage entre un premier orifice 24 disposé dans le deuxième plan P2 et un deuxième orifice 25,
• Emboutissage (étape 120) conique de la bande par utilisation d’un poinçon dit d’emboutissage dont l’embout a une forme de cône, de sorte que le au moins un canal de passage 23 est de section croissante depuis un orifice intermédiaire 26, disposé entre le premier orifice 24 et le deuxième orifice 25, vers le premier orifice 24, et le deuxième orifice 25 se situe dans un troisième plan P3, sensiblement parallèle au premier plan P1 et au deuxième plan P2, le troisième plan P3 étant disposé sous le deuxième plan P2 selon l’axe Z.

There schematically represents a method of manufacturing an anchor strip according to the invention. The method of manufacturing an anchor strip includes the following steps:

• Provision (step 100) of a strip comprising a lower surface 21 extending along a first plane P1, and an upper surface 22 extending along a second plane P2, substantially parallel to the first plane P1 and arranged above the first plane P1 along an axis Z, substantially perpendicular to the first plane P1 and to the second plane P2;

and, simultaneously or sequentially in any order:

• Drilling (step 110) of the strip along the Z axis by using a so-called drilling punch (typically a drill), to form at least one (and preferably two) passage channel 23 passing through the anchoring strip between a first orifice 24 disposed in the second plane P2 and a second orifice 25,
• Conical stamping (step 120) of the strip by using a so-called stamping punch whose tip has a cone shape, so that the at least one passage channel 23 is of increasing section from an intermediate orifice 26, arranged between the first orifice 24 and the second orifice 25, towards the first orifice 24, and the second orifice 25 is located in a third plane P3, substantially parallel to the first plane P1 and to the second plane P2, the third plane P3 being arranged under the second plane P2 along the Z axis.

Advantageously, step 110 and step 120 are carried out simultaneously and the drilling step is carried out by stamping. In other words, a single step carried out by a press makes it possible to obtain the passage channels and the lower protrusion of the anchor strip.

The manufacturing process according to the invention by drilling and stamping makes it possible to obtain the lower projection of the anchoring strip. In addition, the material of the anchor strip finds itself deformed during manufacturing, and no longer machined as traditionally by milling. The manufacturing process eliminates the presence of chips. Additionally, with the elimination of milling-type machining, lubrication can be eliminated. In addition, an advantage of eliminating lubrication is that it is no longer necessary to ensure specific cleaning, which is conventionally done through the use of different chemicals and an ultrasonic bath.

Finally, through a controlled punch, the level of quality is increased. It is then possible to reduce quality control requirements by controlling maintenance.

In another embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the invention, the stamping step 120 comprises a step 125 of forming a bearing surface 31 substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, extending around the perimeter 32 of the intermediate orifice 26. In this embodiment, the tip of the punch used has the shape of a cone whose upper part has been cut by a plane. In other words, the tip of the punch used has a truncated cone shape.

In the case where the step 100 of supplying the strip is done in the form of a reel, the manufacturing process according to the invention further comprises a step 130 of cutting the strip. This cutting step can take place before or after the drilling step 110, or before or after the stamping step 120. This cutting step 130 makes it possible to obtain the anchor strip of good dimensions in length and width.

In the case where step 100 of supplying the strip is done in the form of a coil, the process can optionally include a step of flattening the coil to obtain a sheet of the desired thickness.

In one embodiment of the manufacturing process according to the invention, the stamping step 120 is carried out after the drilling step 110.

In one embodiment of the manufacturing process according to the invention, the drilling and stamping steps 110, 120 of the process are successively carried out on two different stations, a first station of which comprises the so-called drilling punch and a first die and the second station includes the so-called stamping punch and a second die, with transfer operation at each stage from one station to the next. For example, and with reference to the , a drilling step is carried out to form channel 23 (zone A). At this stage, zone B is not yet worked. Then the anchor strip is translated so that the second channel 23 (of zone B) is pierced. Zone A, then further along the line, can be the subject of the stamping step.

In an alternative embodiment of the manufacturing process according to the invention, the drilling and stamping steps 110, 120 of the process are successively carried out on the same station, comprising a punch and die tool, with a change of punch at each stage. With each movement of the tool (preferably vertical), the anchor strip is translated by the equivalence of a tool. For example, and with reference to the , a drilling step is carried out to form channel 23 (zone A). At this stage, zone B is not yet worked. Then a tool change is made (change of the drilling punch into a stamping punch), so as to carry out the stamping step at the level of channel 23 of zone A. Then, the anchor strip is translated , to carry out the drilling step to form channel 23 of zone B. And so on. Alternatively, the anchor strip can remain fixed and it is the tool which translates from zone A to zone B. On the same principle, we can include the cutting of the coil if necessary. This allows you to have a machine that does all the steps at the same time.

Thanks to this new manufacturing process according to the invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of an anchor strip. In fact, the manufacturing rate goes from around 10 seconds (excluding cleaning bath) to around 3 seconds per anchor strip (two passage channels or eight, depending on the mold used). The direct consequence is a reduction in the cost of production. In addition, and as explained previously, different types of rivets are compatible with the anchor strip of the invention, it is therefore possible to consider a wider variety of rivet suppliers.

• au moins un panneau thermiquement isolant 1 destiné à reposer, directement ou indirectement, contre une structure porteuse,
• une membrane d’étanchéité 7 qui repose contre le panneau thermiquement isolant 1 et destinée à être en contact avec le gaz liquéfié contenu dans la cuve,

le panneau thermiquement isolant 1 comprenant au moins une zone d’ancrage 52 dans laquelle est disposée une bande d’ancrage telle que décrite précédemment, la au moins une zone d’ancrage 52 étant de forme complémentaire avec la bande d’ancrage, rigidement fixée au panneau thermiquement isolant 1, et la membrane d’étanchéité 7 étant fixée à la surface supérieure 22 de la au moins une bande d’ancrage.The invention also relates to a wall for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall comprising successively, in a direction of thickness from the outside to the inside:

• at least one thermally insulating panel 1 intended to rest, directly or indirectly, against a supporting structure,
• a sealing membrane 7 which rests against the thermally insulating panel 1 and intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank,

the thermally insulating panel 1 comprising at least one anchoring zone 52 in which an anchoring strip as described above is arranged, the at least one anchoring zone 52 being of complementary shape with the anchoring strip, rigidly fixed to the thermally insulating panel 1, and the sealing membrane 7 being fixed to the upper surface 22 of the at least one anchoring strip.

The invention also relates to a waterproof and thermally insulating tank of a ship intended to contain a liquefied gas comprising at least one wall as described above.

Finally, the invention relates to a ship comprising a hull forming a supporting structure and such a tank anchored on said supporting structure.

It will appear more generally to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them. In the claims which follow, the terms used should not be construed as limiting the claims to the embodiments set forth in the present description, but should be construed to include all equivalents which the claims are intended to cover by their wording and the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on their general knowledge.

Claims (17)

Anchor strip (20, 30, 40) comprising:

• a lower surface (21) extending along a first plane (P1),
• an upper surface (22) extending along a second plane (P2), substantially parallel to the first plane (P1) and arranged above the first plane (P1) along an axis (Z), substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P1 ) and in the second plan (P2),
• at least one passage channel (23) extending around the axis (Z) and passing through the anchoring strip between a first orifice (24) disposed in the second plane (P2) and a second orifice (25), the at least one passage channel (23) being of increasing section from an intermediate orifice (26), disposed between the first orifice (24) and the second orifice (25), towards the first orifice (24),

the anchor strip being characterized in that the second orifice (25) is located in a third plane (P3), substantially parallel to the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), the third plane (P3) being arranged under the second plane (P2) along the axis (Z). Anchoring strip (20, 30, 40) according to claim 1, in which the at least one passage channel (23) is of substantially constant section between the second orifice (25) and the intermediate orifice (26). Anchoring strip (30, 40) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bearing surface (31) substantially perpendicular to the axis (Z), extending around the periphery (32) of the orifice intermediate (26). Anchor strip (30, 40) according to claim 3, in which the support surface is arranged at a distance from the upper surface (22), the distance being preferably greater than 0.7 mm, and even more preferably greater than 2 mm. Anchoring strip (20, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the intermediate orifice is located in the first plane. Anchoring strip (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, made of metallic material, preferably stainless steel. Method of manufacturing an anchor strip (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the following steps:

• Supply (100) of a strip;

and, simultaneously or sequentially in any order:

• Drilling (110) of the strip along the axis (Z) by using a so-called drilling punch, to form at least one passage channel (23),
• Conical stamping (120) of the strip by using a so-called stamping punch whose tip has a cone shape.

Manufacturing method according to claim 7, in which the stamping step (120) comprises a step (125) of forming a bearing surface (31) substantially perpendicular to the axis (Z), extending on the periphery (32) of the intermediate orifice (26). Manufacturing method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a step (130) of cutting the strip to obtain the anchor strip. Manufacturing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the stamping step (120) is carried out after the drilling step (110). Manufacturing method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the stages (110, 120) of drilling and stamping of the process are successively carried out on two different stations, a first station of which comprises the so-called drilling punch and a first die and the second station includes the so-called stamping punch and a second die, with transfer operation at each stage from one station to the next. Manufacturing process according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the drilling and stamping steps (110, 120) of the process are successively carried out on the same station, comprising a punch and die tool, with change of punch at every step. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control additive manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the anchor strip (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Process for manufacturing an anchor strip (20, 30, 40) by additive manufacturing, the process comprising:

• obtain an electronic file representing a geometry of the anchor strip (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; And
• control an additive manufacturing device to manufacture, in one or more additive manufacturing steps, the anchor strip (20, 30, 40) according to the geometry specified in the electronic file.

Wall for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall comprising successively, in a direction of thickness from the outside to the inside:

• at least one thermally insulating panel (1) intended to rest, directly or indirectly, against a supporting structure,
• a sealing membrane (7) which rests against the thermally insulating panel (1) and intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank,

the thermally insulating panel (1) comprising at least one anchoring zone (52) in which is arranged an anchoring strip (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the at least one zone anchor (52) being of complementary shape with the anchoring strip (20, 30, 40), rigidly fixed to the thermally insulating panel (1), and the waterproofing membrane (7) being fixed to the upper surface ( 22) of the at least one anchoring strip (20, 30, 40). Watertight and thermally insulating tank of a ship intended to contain a liquefied gas comprising at least one wall according to claim 15. Vessel comprising a hull forming a supporting structure and a tank according to claim 16 anchored on said supporting structure.