Conduit Airtightness Inspection via Segmented Stop Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conduit inspection methods fail to accurately identify specific sections that need repair, leading to costly and unnecessary repairs of entire conduits.
Innovation Solution
A conduit inspection method involving airtightness tests at multiple positions within the conduit, using stop valves and rods to specify normal and abnormal sections, allowing for precise identification of repair areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual inspection with pipe camera is used to check conduit condition, then the inspection process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision of damage location is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into multiple sections by inserting stop valves at different positions. Each section is independently tested for airtightness, allowing precise identification of the specific section containing the hole or damage, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through systematic segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Stop valves are introduced as intermediary devices to isolate and seal specific conduit sections. These valves enable controlled pressurization testing of individual sections, providing a mechanism to precisely locate damages without requiring complex inspection equipment or procedures
2Reliability
If entire conduit is repaired when partial damage is detected, then the reliability of conduit system is improved, but the loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the conduit into testable sections using stop valves, the inspection method identifies the exact location of holes or damages. This allows repair work to be concentrated only on the affected section rather than the entire conduit, reducing material consumption and repair costs while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection method enables localized assessment of conduit conditions by testing individual sections independently. Repairs can then be applied locally to specific damaged areas rather than performing blanket repairs on the entire conduit system, optimizing resource allocation and reducing waste
3Measurement precision
If airtightness test is performed on entire conduit, then the measurement of conduit condition is comprehensive, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring specific damage location increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into multiple sections using stop valves, transforming a single comprehensive test into multiple localized tests. Each section can be independently pressurized and tested for airtightness, making it easier to detect and measure the specific location of damages while maintaining comprehensive assessment coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Stop valves serve as intermediary devices that enable isolated testing of conduit sections. By closing valves at specific positions, testers can create sealed segments and perform airtightness tests on individual sections, simplifying the detection and measurement of damage locations compared to testing the entire conduit at once
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 simple and accurate specification of sections requiring repair, reducing unnecessary repairs and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
conducting airtightness testing on the conduit section from the first end to the stop valve position, and determining whether airtightness can be confirmed
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit inspection method includes a first specifying step (S1) of specifying, as a normal section of a conduit, a section from a first end (Pa) of the conduit that is connected to one manhole to a first position (P1) in the conduit at which airtightness can be confirmed, a second specifying step (S1) of specifying, as a normal section of the conduit, a section from a second end (Pb) of the conduit that is connected to another manhole to a second position (P2) in the conduit at which airtightness can be confirmed, and a third specifying step (S3) of specifying a section from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) as an abnormal section of the conduit.