Corrugated HDPE Pipe Joining for Low-Material Water Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for upwelling and downwelling water in large bodies of water, such as oceans, using straight-walled HDPE pipes are costly and require thick walls to withstand pressure, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution to increase oxygen content in surface layers.
Innovation Solution
The use of corrugated pipes made from polymers like HDPE, which achieve similar collapse resistance with significantly less material, utilizing a welding method involving a jig and resistive heating coil to join segments, allowing for efficient water circulation by upwelling or downwelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If straight-walled HDPE pipe is used for upwelling and downwelling water, then collapse resistance is achieved, but material usage and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies corrugated pipe with curved, ribbed structure instead of straight-walled pipe. The corrugations create a geometric structure that provides superior collapse resistance with thinner walls. The curved ribs distribute and redirect external water pressure along the pipe length, preventing localized buckling while using significantly less material (1-9.9 mm wall thickness vs. 10-100 mm for straight pipe).
2Stress or pressure
If straight-walled HDPE pipe with thick walls is used, then pressure withstand capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated geometry transforms the pressure distribution mechanism. The curved ribs create a series of arches that naturally distribute hydrostatic pressure along the pipe length, converting localized point loads into distributed line loads. This geometric reinforcement allows thin-walled construction to withstand the same pressures that would require thick walls in straight pipe.
3Loss of substance
If corrugated pipe with thin walls is used, then material usage is reduced, but manufacturing and joining precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a jig as an intermediary tool during the welding process. The jig holds the corrugated pipe segments in precise alignment and maintains proper positioning during welding operations. This fixture compensates for the difficulty of working with thin-walled corrugated pipe, ensuring consistent weld quality without requiring enhanced manual dexterity or complex automated positioning systems.
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
This approach reduces material usage by an order of magnitude while maintaining collapse resistance, enabling effective oxygen enrichment in surface waters, making the process more economical and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
heating the ends of the corrugated pipe segments may comprise inserting the ends of the corrugated pipe segments into a resistive heating coil or ring, and resistively heating the ends of the corrugated pipe segments
Data Source
AI summary
A method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments, an apparatus configured to weld/join corrugated pipe segments, and a method of circulating water are disclosed. The method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments includes holding or securing an end of each of the corrugated pipe segments with a jig, and welding the ends of the corrugated pipe segments together. The jig includes at least two rings, each configured to receive one of the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, and a brace or connector connected to each of the two rings. The apparatus includes the jig, a welding ring configured to receive the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, a resistive heating coil for heating the welding ring, and a control circuit configured to control a temperature of the resistive heating coil and maintain the temperature of the resistive heating coil once a target temperature is reached.