Coiled Spring Pipe Stent for In-Place Crack Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipe repairs often require shutting down piping systems, leading to inconvenience and high costs due to the need for extensive construction, including digging up streets and sidewalks, to address breaks in pipe walls.
Innovation Solution
A coiled stent spring with a seal that can be configured between extended and contracted states to engage the pipe inner surface, allowing for the stent to be inserted, expanded to apply a seal at the damage site, and then contracted to create a watertight barrier, minimizing disruption and construction needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipe repair methods are used, then pipe breaks can be repaired, but the piping system must be shut off and extensive construction including digging up streets is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal element that can conform to the inner surface of the pipe, creating an effective seal without requiring rigid structural support or extensive construction. The seal's flexibility allows it to adapt to the pipe's geometry and maintain sealing pressure through the elastic recovery of the compressed spring mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing function from traditional pipe repair methods that require system shutdown and extensive excavation. By isolating the seal and spring mechanism as a self-contained unit that can be inserted through existing pipe access points, the repair process eliminates the need for system shutdown and major construction activities
2Reliability
If traditional pipe repair methods are used, then pipe breaks can be repaired, but extensive construction including digging up streets and sidewalks is required
Solution Approach 1:
The repair device is segmented into distinct functional components: a compressed spring mechanism, a seal element, and a delivery system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a compact unit that can be inserted through minimal access points, eliminating the need for complex construction activities
Solution Approach 2:
The seal and spring mechanism are nested within a delivery catheter or sheath that can be inserted through the pipe wall or via existing access points. The nested configuration allows the entire repair mechanism to be transported and deployed through minimal openings without requiring excavation or major construction
3Reliability
If a seal is applied to repair pipe cracks, then leaking can be stopped, but the stent must be inserted and expanded requiring system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state upon deployment, dynamically adapting to the pipe's internal diameter. This dynamic expansion allows the seal to be applied without requiring system shutdown, as the device can be inserted in a compact configuration and then expanded in-place to create the sealing effect
4Reliability
If extensive construction is performed to repair pipes, then pipe breaks can be addressed, but costs increase and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed spring mechanism provides self-contained sealing force without requiring external actuators, hydraulic systems, or complex deployment mechanisms. The spring's elastic energy is stored during insertion and automatically released to expand the seal against the pipe wall, enabling rapid deployment and reducing both time and cost requirements for pipe repair operations
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
Enables effective pipe repair with reduced downtime and costs by allowing for in-place sealing of cracks without the need for extensive excavation, maintaining system functionality while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the coiled stent spring biasing the stent to the contracted configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Example aspects of a stent for repairing a pipe and a method for repairing a pipe are disclosed. The stent for repairing a pipe can comprise a coiled extension stent spring comprising a plurality of spring coils and a seal assembled with the coiled extension stent spring and configured to engage an inner surface of a pipe, wherein the stent is configurable in an extended configuration and a contracted configuration, the coiled stent spring biasing the stent to the contracted configuration.