Containment Sleeve Structure for High-Pressure Pipe Ruptures
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure piping systems, particularly those used in concrete pumping, are prone to catastrophic failures at pipe bends due to wear and obstructions, leading to unpredictable ejections of pressurized material that pose hazards to people and property.
Innovation Solution
A pliable, seam-free containment sleeve made of high-strength, lightweight, semi-permeable fabric with pleats and breakaway stitching is designed to wrap around pipes and couplings, expanding to arrest the energy of a pipe rupture and contain the ejected material, protecting bystanders and simplifying cleanup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe rupture occurs in a high-pressure piping system, then pressurized material is ejected at high velocity, but this creates hazards to people and property
Solution Approach 1:
A containment sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the pipe and the surrounding environment. The sleeve wraps around the pipe and coupling assemblies, containing any ejected pressurized material within its interior volume, thereby preventing direct exposure to people and property while allowing the pipe system to operate at high pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The containment sleeve provides beforehand protection by being pre-installed on the pipe system before operation. It creates a protective barrier that cushions against the potential harmful effects of pipe rupture, directing ejected material along the pipe rather than allowing random high-velocity discharge in dangerous directions
2Device complexity
If traditional piping systems are used without containment, then the system is simpler, but cleanup after rupture is difficult and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The containment sleeve acts as an intermediary containment structure that simplifies cleanup operations. By directing all ejected material into a confined space, the sleeve makes the material accessible and contained for easy recovery, eliminating the need for hazardous cleanup operations in the surrounding area
3Ease of operation
If couplings are used to join pipe sections, then the piping system is more flexible and easier to assemble, but couplings become wear points that lead to catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The containment sleeve is designed to wrap around and enclose the coupling assemblies, effectively nesting the couplings within the protective sleeve. This allows the couplings to perform their joining function while being protected by the outer sleeve, which contains any potential failure effects
Solution Approach 2:
The containment sleeve serves as an intermediary protective layer between the vulnerable couplings and the external environment. It allows the couplings to remain in place for easy assembly and disassembly while preventing catastrophic failure effects from reaching surrounding areas
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
The containment sleeve effectively prevents the high-velocity ejection of pressurized concrete, protecting people and property by containing the energy and material, and facilitates environmentally friendly cleanup by directing the expelled product along the pipe, reducing the risk of chemical burns and solid particle exposure.
Implementation Method 1
expanding to arrest the energy of a pipe rupture
Implementation Method 2
A pliable, seam-free containment sleeve made of high-strength, lightweight, semi-permeable fabric
Data Source
AI summary
On example provides a containment sleeve for a pressurized piping system including a main body comprising a pliable fabric extending in longitudinal and transverse directions. The main body includes an exterior major surface and an opposing interior major surface, first and second opposed transverse edges, first and second opposed longitudinal edges, and a number of pleats extending from the interior major surface, each pleat having opposing sides of the longitudinal pleat being sewn together with breakaway stitching at a base of the pleat at the interior major surface. A number of transversely extending straps disposed on the exterior major surface between the first and second longitudinal edges, the straps to secure the main body about a portion of the piping system with the interior major surface facing the piping system.