CIPP Liner Assist Rollers for Controlled Pipe Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inverting cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners into pipelines lack controlled inversion, resulting in erratic seal formation and fluctuating friction, which can cause the liner to stall or invert at undesirable rates, leading to incomplete inflation and potential water displacement within the pipe.
Innovation Solution
A cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation device launcher with a pressure vessel and a liner assist module featuring a base, frame, and multiple rollers, including powered rollers and an encoder, to ensure controlled and consistent inversion of the liner into the pipe, minimizing friction and maintaining uniform pressure and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water inversion or air inversion using a pressure vessel is used to invert the CIPP liner, then the liner can be inverted into the pipe, but the inversion is uncontrolled due to erratic seal formation and fluctuating friction, causing the liner to stall or invert at undesirable rates
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder provides feedback on the rotational position and speed of the powered rollers, allowing the control system to adjust the inversion process in real-time to maintain controlled and consistent inversion rates, preventing stalling and ensuring complete inflation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the uncontrolled hydraulic/pneumatic pressure system with a mechanically controlled roller system that uses powered rollers with encoders to provide precise, controlled inversion, eliminating the erratic behavior associated with water or air pressure methods
2Device complexity
If compressed air is used to cause the liner to invert, then the need for a tower is eliminated, but a pressure vessel is required to contain all of the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The inversion system is segmented into multiple independent powered rollers positioned at different locations along the liner path, allowing the liner to be inverted in sections as it passes through the launcher, eliminating the need for a single large pressure vessel to contain the entire liner
3Manufacturing precision
If the liner inverts at an undesirable rate due to fluctuating friction and air pressure, then the liner may not be fully inflated, but increasing pressure to compensate causes the liner to invert too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The powered rollers are designed with variable speed control, allowing the inversion rate to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time feedback from encoders and control systems, ensuring the liner inverts at an optimal rate that allows complete inflation while preventing excessive speed
Solution Approach 2:
Encoders on the powered rollers provide continuous feedback on inversion progress and speed, allowing the control system to adjust air pressure and roller speed in real-time to maintain the optimal inversion rate, preventing both incomplete inflation and excessive inversion speed
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 provides controlled and consistent inversion of the liner, reducing stress on the liner, preventing elongation, and ensuring uniform wall thickness, thereby ensuring effective pipe rehabilitation with reduced resin loss and improved installation quality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the powered rollers includes an encoder providing feedback on a rotational position and a rotational speed of the powered roller
Implementation Method 2
an air feed chamber above the outlet end to pressurize a cured-in-place liner to aid in urging it into a pipe to be rehabilitated
Implementation Method 3
A cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation device launcher with a pressure vessel and a liner assist module featuring a base, frame, and multiple rollers, including powered rollers and an encoder, to ensure controlled and consistent inversion of the liner into the pipe, minimizing friction
Data Source
AI summary
A cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation device launcher having a launcher assembly and a liner assist chamber, the launcher assembly includes a nozzle, an air feed chamber above the nozzle to pressurize a cured-in-place liner to aid in urging it into a pipe to be rehabilitated, and an attachment plate is disposed above the adapter. The liner assist chamber includes a base plate to attach to the attachment plate, a liner assist frame coupled to the base plate, a plurality of rollers rotationally attached to the liner assist frame, and a motor operably attached to at least one of the plurality of rollers and configured to aid in urging the cured-in-place liner into the pipe.