Composite Pipe With Local Pre-Stress Segments

Solution Overview

Problem

Composite pipes used in industries like oil and gas lack the ability to customize properties along their length, leading to inefficiencies in handling varying environmental conditions and increased material usage.

Innovation Solution

The pipe wall features a composite material with local variations in construction, such as fiber alignment, pre-stress, and modulus, allowing for tailored mechanical and thermal properties in specific segments, enabling controlled deformation and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If composite pipes use uniform construction throughout, then manufacturing is simpler and material usage is consistent, but the ability to customize properties for varying environmental conditions is lost and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization of pipe propertiesVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the construction of composite pipe wall in different circumferential segments. Specifically, at least one circumferential segment has a different construction from other segments, allowing local customization of properties such as fiber alignment, pre-stress, and modulus to match varying environmental conditions at different locations around the pipe circumference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pipe wall construction into distinct circumferential segments with different properties. The pipe wall is divided into multiple circumferential segments where at least one segment has a construction that differs from others, enabling independent optimization of each segment for its specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If composite pipes use uniform construction throughout, then manufacturing process is simpler, but material usage increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the construction of composite pipe wall in different circumferential segments. Specifically, at least one circumferential segment has a different construction from other segments, allowing local customization of properties such as fiber alignment, pre-stress, and modulus to match varying environmental conditions at different locations around the pipe circumference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying enhanced construction features only where needed. Instead of uniformly increasing material and construction complexity throughout the entire pipe, the invention applies varied construction only to specific circumferential segments that require it, thereby reducing overall material usage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If composite pipes have uniform properties, then structural integrity is consistent, but controlled deformation and bending capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled deformationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the construction of composite pipe wall in different circumferential segments. Specifically, at least one circumferential segment has a different construction from other segments, allowing local customization of properties such as fiber alignment, pre-stress, and modulus to match varying environmental conditions at different locations around the pipe circumference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9869411B2Composite pipe

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 MAGMA GLOBAL LIMITED

AI summary

A pipe comprises a pipe wall formed of a composite material of a matrix and a plurality of reinforcing fibres embedded within the matrix, wherein the composite material in at least one region of the pipe wall is pre-stressed. The composite material in at least one region of the pipe wall comprises or defines at least one of a level of pre-tension and pre-compression.