Double-Wall Coaxial Pipe Joints for Underground Leak Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Direct bury pipe systems face issues with leaks due to groundwater corrosion and improper sealing at field joints, which are exacerbated by the use of weak shrink wrap materials, leading to increased vulnerability to leaks.
Innovation Solution
A double wall coaxial piping system with an outer and inner pipe configuration, where the inner pipe is continuously connected and protected by an outer pipe, combined with spacers and insulation, and sealed at ends using packing layers and joint sleeves to prevent leaks and allow for pressure testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shrink wrap material is used to seal field joints between pipe segments, then the pipe system can be assembled, but the joints are not properly sealed and leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
A joint sleeve acts as an intermediary component between adjacent pipe segments. The joint sleeve receives both pipe ends and provides a centralized location for sealing operations, allowing proper sealing without relying on weak shrink wrap alone. The joint sleeve structure enables effective sealing while maintaining joint strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe segments are directly buried underground, then installation is simple, but groundwater corrodes the pipes and forms holes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The outer pipe serves as a protective intermediary between the inner pipe and the corrosive groundwater environment. This double-wall structure allows the inner pipe to remain isolated from direct contact with corrosive elements while maintaining the simplicity of direct burial installation.
3Device complexity
If a single wall pipe system is used, then the structure is simple, but the system is prone to leaks and lacks enhanced strength
Solution Approach 1:
The piping system employs a nested double-wall structure where the inner pipe is positioned within the outer pipe. This nesting arrangement provides enhanced leak resistance and structural strength while maintaining reasonable simplicity in the overall system design.
4Ease of operation
If field joints are sealed with shrink wrap, then assembly is straightforward, but the seals are weak and additional leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The joint sleeve provides a robust intermediary structure at field joints that maintains assembly straightforwardness while dramatically improving seal integrity. The joint sleeve allows for proper sealing mechanisms to be implemented without complicating the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A double wall coaxial piping system with enhanced strength designed to transport a medium underground and minimize leaks is provided. The double wall coaxial piping system includes a plurality of pipe assemblies connected together to form a constructed pipe assembly with a first end and a second end. Each pipe assembly has an outer pipe and an inner pipe secured within the outer pipe. The inner pipe of each pipe assembly is continuously connected to the inner pipe of an adjacent pipe assembly in the plurality of pipe assemblies. Each end in the first and second ends of the constructed pipe assembly has a pair of plates coupled to the outer pipe of the pipe assembly at the end of the constructed pipe assembly and a packing layer disposed between the pair of plates.