Composite Pipe Lining for Curved Sewer Repair and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for renovating underground sewer pipes are costly, time-consuming, and prone to creating new blockages and leaks due to the inability to absorb radial and axial forces, leading to irregular pipe reshaping and poor sealing.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement featuring a first textile tube woven in one piece, laminated on its outer wall, a felt tube wetted with a curable synthetic resin mixture, and a second silicone-coated textile tube for insertion and radial pressing, allowing for installation in curved pipes and enhanced sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional methods use impermeable preliners and felt hoses for pipe renovation, then installation is simplified, but the system cannot absorb radial or axial forces leading to poor sealing and irregular pipe reshaping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a textile tube with high tensile strength in the axial direction and a felt tube impregnated with synthetic resin. This composite material system provides both ease of installation and the ability to absorb radial and axial forces, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a textile tube with specifically high axial tensile strength rather than conventional impermeable materials. This parameter change enables the system to absorb axial forces during installation while maintaining ease of operation, thereby improving sealing performance without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If conventional methods use felt hoses that follow the old pipe contour, then installation is easier, but damaged contours are copied creating new blockages and leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidblockages and leaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical properties of the lining material by using a textile tube with high axial tensile strength that can resist deformation. This allows the lining to maintain a smooth, regular contour independent of the old pipe's damaged shape, eliminating blockages and leaks while keeping installation simple through the flexible felt tube design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If hybrid liners with glass fiber reinforcement are used, then resistance and bending tensile strength increase, but flexibility decreases limiting installation to straight pipes only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending tensile strengthVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reinforcement function into two parts: the textile tube provides axial tensile strength through its woven structure, while the felt tube provides flexibility for installation in curved pipes. This segmentation allows both high strength and high adaptability to be achieved simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between bending tensile strength and installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional methods accept slight loss in cross-section, then renovation is simpler, but new sources of leaks and blockages form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenovation simplicityVSAvoidleak prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a textile tube with high axial tensile strength that maintains dimensional stability. This allows the lining to preserve the original pipe cross-section without deformation, preventing leaks and blockages while keeping the renovation process simple through the straightforward installation method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 faster, cost-effective renovation with more durable and resilient pipe linings that can withstand higher static and dynamic loads, reducing the risk of leaks and blockages while maintaining a smooth inner surface.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a felt tube wetted with a curable synthetic resin mixture into the interior of the first textile tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring of synthetic resin: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The arrangement according to the invention may have a device for introducing heat, steam and/or light inside the second textile tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat curing: Heating

Implementation Method 3

radially pressing the second textile tube and the first textile tube onto the pipe, in particular sewer pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial pressing: Compression

Implementation Method 4

a felt tube woven in one piece on its outer wall with a release agent, preferably silicone, which does not adhere to the synthetic resin mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRelease agent effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3980679B1Arrangement and method for mending a pipe, particularly a waste water pipe
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 GLOBAL SAFETY TEXTILES GMBH
  • EP3980679B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP3980679B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for mending a pipe, particularly a waste water pipe, which arrangement comprises the following elements: a first textile hose (ALg) woven in a single piece preferably laminated on the outer wall thereof, a felt hose (FS) arranged in the interior of the first textile hose (ALg) and wetted with a curable synthetic resin mixture, and a second textile hose (ALs), woven in a single piece and coated on its outer wall with a release agent, preferably silicon, not adhering to the synthetic resin mixture, for introduction into the felt hose (FS). The invention further relates to a method for mending a pipe, particularly a waste water pipe, preferably using the arrangement described.