Adapter for Compact Pipe Installation in Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing compact pipes in pipelines are inefficient due to the time-consuming fusion joining of PE-plates and the shrinkage of openings during steam exposure, which complicates the process and reduces the steam inlet area.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adapter that allows for the releasable connection of various connecting pieces, including a pulling head and fluid inlet/outlet pieces, which facilitates the installation by enabling quicker fusion joining and larger steam inlet areas through a segmented compact pipe design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PE-plates are fusion joined to the pulling and trailing ends of the CP, then the CP can be pulled through the pipeline and steam can be introduced, but the process takes between 30 and 60 minutes due to heating the entire PE-plate
Solution Approach 1:
The PE-plate is divided into a main body portion and a separate rim portion. The rim portion is pre-heated and attached to the CP end, while the main body remains cool. This segmentation allows the rim to be quickly prepared without heating the entire plate, reducing fusion joining time from 30-60 minutes to a much shorter duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim portion of the PE-plate is pre-heated and attached to the CP end before the actual installation process begins. This preliminary action allows the main body of the PE-plate to remain cool and unheated, so that when installation is needed, the pre-prepared rim can be quickly positioned and secured without requiring extensive heating time.
2Productivity
If openings are drilled or cut into the PE-plates for steam inlet, then steam can be introduced into the CP, but the openings become smaller during steam exposure as the PE-material melts
Solution Approach 1:
The steam inlet function is extracted from the PE-plate material itself and transferred to a separate metal adapter component. The adapter contains the steam inlet opening and is attached to the PE-plate rim. This extraction ensures that the steam inlet geometry is determined by the heat-resistant metal adapter rather than the heat-sensitive PE-material, preventing melting and maintaining stable steam inlet area during steam exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
A metal adapter acts as an intermediary component between the PE-plate and the steam introduction system. The adapter is attached to the PE-plate rim and contains the steam inlet opening. This intermediary structure protects the steam inlet geometry from the thermal effects that would otherwise cause the PE-material to melt and shrink, ensuring stable steam flow characteristics throughout the expansion process.
3Strength
If the entire PE-plate is heated for fusion joining, then the PE-plate can be attached to the CP ends, but the steam inlet openings become even smaller due to material melting
Solution Approach 1:
The PE-plate is segmented into a rim portion that is heated and attached to the CP, and a main body portion that remains unheated. The steam inlet opening is located in the metal adapter attached to the rim, not in the main body of the PE-plate. This segmentation ensures that only the necessary attachment area is heated, while the steam inlet geometry in the metal adapter remains unaffected by thermal melting, maintaining both attachment strength and steam inlet reliability.
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 adapter system significantly reduces installation time and enhances efficiency by allowing easy connection and disconnection of components, improving the process of expanding the compact pipe to its original shape with a larger steam inlet area, thus facilitating faster and more effective pipeline renovation.
Implementation Method 1
The material used for the CP has a memory characteristic or effect so that the CP, after placing it within the damaged pipeline, can be brought back into the original circular cross-sectional shape by heating it, e.g. with steam.
Implementation Method 2
steam is applied to the inside of the CP so as to make it revert to its original shape
Implementation Method 3
during steam exposure the openings are becoming even smaller because the material of the PE-plates melts
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~5
AI summary
A device for installing a compact pipe (CP) within a pipeline includes an adapter (4 ) comprising means for releasably connecting a connecting piece to the adapter (4), and means for fixing the adapter (4 ) to a first end of the compact pipe (CP).