A protective device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coaxial geothermal systems face challenges with mechanical damage or malfunction of expandable outer jackets during insertion, deployment, or operation due to abrasion, puncture, deformation, or snagging, leading to compromised thermal efficiency and retrievability.

Innovation Solution

A protective device and end plug mechanism are designed to safeguard the expandable outer tube, featuring a pressure relief mechanism and wedge-sealing system to distribute forces, ensuring secure expansion and sealing at critical connection points, using durable materials and flexible designs to withstand high pressures and temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the expandable outer tube is made flexible for easy insertion and expansion, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical strength and resistance to damage during installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A protective device is provided in advance that covers at least a portion of the expandable outer tube before insertion into the borehole. This protective covering is prepared beforehand to prevent mechanical damage during the insertion process, addressing the vulnerability of flexible tubes before they are deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device acts as a cushioning barrier that is placed over the expandable outer tube prior to insertion. This beforehand protection absorbs or prevents mechanical stresses and damages that would otherwise occur during insertion and deployment, allowing the flexible tube to maintain its operational flexibility without compromising strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the expandable outer tube is made flexible for expansion, then adaptability is improved, but reliability against mechanical damage during operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveexpandabilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is provided in advance over the expandable outer tube before it is inserted into the borehole. This pre-protection ensures that the flexible tube is shielded from mechanical damages such as abrasion, puncture, and snagging that may occur during insertion and operational deployment, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving expandability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device serves as an intermediary element between the expandable outer tube and the harsh borehole environment. This intermediate protective layer allows the flexible tube to expand and adapt to the borehole while being protected from direct mechanical damage, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the protective device covers more of the expandable outer tube, then protection against mechanical damage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidprotective device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is designed to cover at least a portion of the expandable outer tube, specifically targeting critical areas that are most vulnerable to mechanical damage during insertion and deployment. This localized protection approach provides adequate reliability without requiring complete coverage, thereby avoiding excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enhances the durability and reliability of coaxial borehole energy exchangers by preventing damage during installation and operation, ensuring efficient fluid flow and thermal performance while adapting to various end piece solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a wedge (23) positioned in the fold (13)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

The protective device (27) may be referred to as a pressure relief device (27)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4675197A1A protective device

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 POWER BY NATURE ENERGI AS

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AI summary

The invention is related to a protective device for an expandable outer tube of a coaxial borehole energy exchanger; the protective device being configured to fit over and cover at least a section of an end piece and a section of the expandable outer tube. The expandable outer tube being configured to move between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The protective device is an external device connectable to, and moveable relative to the end piece and the expandable outer tube. The protective device is slidable onto the end piece while the expandable outer tube is in the folded configuration, wherein the protective device is further configured to cover a transition zone between the expandable outer tube and the end piece so that pressure forces are distributed over a larger area to prevent tearing of the expandable outer tube when the expandable outer tube moves from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration.