Adjustable Pipe Expander for Confined-Space Liner Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trenchless pipe refurbishment technologies face challenges in confined spaces, particularly under roads with steep inclines and nearby waterways, where inserting a full-length liner pipe is impractical due to space limitations and access constraints.
Innovation Solution
The use of a confined space insertion tool, known as a pusher box, which allows for the insertion of a liner pipe in concatenated sections, utilizing rods and wireframe centering balls to stabilize and guide the liner pipe into the host pipe, along with a pipe expansion tool to expand the host pipe nondestructively, enabling the insertion of larger diameter liner pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a full-length liner pipe is inserted into the host pipe, then the pipe refurbishment is complete and efficient, but the access space requirements become too large for confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The liner pipe is divided into multiple sections that can be inserted separately into the host pipe using the pusher box device. Each section is pushed individually through the host pipe, eliminating the need for large access spaces required for full-length liner insertion, while still achieving complete pipe refurbishment through sequential assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher box device enables liner pipe sections to be inserted from a confined access point by transforming the insertion approach from requiring lateral space to utilizing longitudinal pushing force through the host pipe, effectively changing the dimensional constraints of the operation
2Strength
If the host pipe is expanded to accommodate a larger diameter liner pipe, then the liner pipe stability and flow capacity improve, but the risk of damaging the host pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host pipe is expanded to the required diameter before the liner pipe is inserted, ensuring that the expansion is controlled and complete. This preliminary expansion action allows the liner to be installed at the correct diameter without requiring excessive force during insertion that could damage the host pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion process carefully controls the diameter parameter of the host pipe, increasing it only to the extent necessary to accommodate the liner pipe. This controlled parameter change ensures adequate liner stability and flow capacity while minimizing the risk of host pipe damage through over-expansion
3Ease of operation
If work is performed in confined spaces with steep inclines and near waterways, then the refurbishment can be completed in restricted areas, but the operational difficulty and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher box device is designed to be self-contained and self-operating, requiring minimal external assistance or complex support equipment. The device can be positioned in confined spaces and operated autonomously to push liner sections through the host pipe, reducing the complexity of operations in difficult terrain near waterways and steep inclines
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
This method enables efficient refurbishment of pipes in confined spaces with minimal work required in restricted areas, maintaining the structural integrity of the host pipe and ensuring the liner pipe's stability, thus enhancing the longevity and performance of the refurbished pipe.
Implementation Method 1
the expander is adapted to generate outward radial force perpendicular to a longitudinal expander axis when the expander is actuated to expand
Implementation Method 2
a floating pad disposed to be displaced relative to a chassis by at least one retractable and extendable piston
Data Source
AI summary
An expander, preferably for use in expanding a host pipe to be refurbished. A floating pad is disposed to be displaced relative to a chassis by at least one retractable and extendable piston such that the expander has a first expansion range between fully-retracted and fully-extended states. A floating pad jacket and a chassis jacket are disposed to be removably attached to the floating pad and chassis, such that the floating pad jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a second expansion range when the floating pad jacket is attached to the floating pad, and the chassis jacket increases the first expansion range of the expander to a third expansion range when the chassis jacket is attached to the chassis. At least one piston may be configured to be extended and retracted independently.