Braided Corrugated Metal Tube for Lightning Current Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corrugated metal tubular members used in piping systems for fluid flow in homes are prone to damage from induced lightning, with thin metal layers burning out from single spark discharges and thicker layers compromising flexibility, making it difficult to maintain current release functionality and flexibility during multiple lightning events.
Innovation Solution
A corrugated metal tubular member with a braided resin or metal covering structure, where the covering part is formed by braiding multiple independent string members with lower electrical resistance than the tubular member, providing enhanced bendability and stretchability, and an insulating resin layer to prevent current flow to the tubular member, allowing for effective current release and maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal layer with uniform thickness is used to cover the corrugated tubular member, then the function of releasing large current to ground is improved, but flexibility of the tube deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The covering part is segmented into multiple independent string members (511, 521, 531, 541) with lower electrical resistance than the tubular member. These segmented string members are braided together to form a mesh-like structure that provides both electrical conductivity for current release and flexibility for bending, resolving the contradiction between maintaining current release function and preserving tube flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the metal layer is made thin to maintain flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but the ability to release large current deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The covering part uses composite string members comprising resin material (512, 522, 532, 542) and metal material (511, 521, 531, 541) with lower electrical resistance than the tubular member. This composite structure provides both flexibility from the resin and adequate electrical conductivity for current release through the metal components, resolving the contradiction between thin-layer flexibility and current release capability.
3Reliability
If a continuous metal layer is used, then current release function is improved, but the range of burning out expands radially during lightning discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The covering part is divided into multiple independent string members (511, 521, 531, 541) rather than forming a continuous metal layer. During lightning discharge, the burning out is confined to localized segments of individual string members rather than propagating radially across a continuous layer, preventing widespread metal layer failure and maintaining current release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin material (512, 522, 532, 542) serves as an intermediary that surrounds and isolates the metal string members (511, 521, 531, 541). This resin intermediary prevents radial expansion of burning out during lightning discharge by physically separating the metal components, while still allowing the braided structure to function as an effective current release path to ground.
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 braided structure prevents widespread burning and maintains the ability to release large currents to the ground during multiple lightning events while preserving the tube's flexibility, as the braided design and insulating resin ensure that the current flows through the covering part rather than the tubular member, preventing damage and ensuring functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first covering part that covers the outside of the tubular member, and forms a braided structure using a resin string member of which at least a part is covered by a metal having lower electrical resistance than that of a metal forming the tubular member
Implementation Method 2
a third covering part formed of an insulating resin that is arranged between the tubular member and the first covering part
Data Source
AI summary
A tube includes a corrugated metal tubular member; and a first covering part that covers the outside of the tubular member, and forms a braided structure using a resin string member of which at least a part is covered by a metal having lower electrical resistance than that of a metal forming the tubular member. The tube can also include a third covering part made of an insulating resin arranged between the tubular member and the first covering part, and covers the tubular member, wherein the first covering part covers the third covering part.