Corrugated Duct Assembly for Reliable Leakage Fluid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line arrangements with wave profiles face challenges in reliable leakage detection due to wave crests obstructing the flow of leakage fluid between inner and outer fluid lines, especially when bent or compressed, leading to delayed or hindered fluid outflow and potential buildup in the annular space.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating areas with reduced wave height on at least one wave crest to facilitate axial fluid flow between the inner and outer fluid lines, ensuring a fluidic connection and reducing fluid pressure requirements for drainage, even under bent, kinked, or compressed conditions, while maintaining mechanical stability and fluid tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If wave crests are present in the corrugated profile, then kink resistance and flexibility are improved, but leakage fluid flow in the annular space is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekink resistanceVSAvoidleakage fluid flow
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wave crests are designed with varying heights along the axial direction, creating local variations in the corrugated profile. Specifically, certain wave crests have reduced heights compared to others, which locally facilitates leakage fluid flow while maintaining overall kink resistance provided by the full-wavecrest sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the line arrangement is bent or compressed, then adaptability to complex routes is improved, but wave crests press against each other hindering fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute adaptabilityVSAvoidfluid flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corrugated profile incorporates wave crests with different heights at different axial positions. When the line arrangement is bent or compressed, the reduced-height wave crests create local passages that prevent complete closure of the annular space, thereby maintaining leakage fluid flow paths even under deformation while still providing overall route adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If sensors are installed only in sections, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but leak detection reliability requires unimpeded fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidleak detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By creating local variations in wave crest heights, the invention ensures that leakage fluid can flow axially through the annular space regardless of line deformation. This reliable fluid flow enables sectional sensor installations to effectively detect leaks, as the fluid will reliably reach the sensor locations without being blocked by pressed-together wave crests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4071393B1Duct assembly
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 UNIWELL ROHRSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4071393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071393B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4071393B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A conduit arrangement (1) comprising an inner fluid conduit (2) and an outer fluid conduit (3), in particular an inner corrugated tube or hose and an outer corrugated tube or hose, wherein at least one fluid conduit (2, 3) has a corrugated profile with crests (4, 6) and troughs (5, 7). It is provided that, to ensure flow between the inner fluid conduit (2) and the outer fluid conduit (3), at least one crest (4, 6) has a region with reduced wave height.