Cross-laminated pipe minimizing longitudinal strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible irrigation pipes experience significant longitudinal strain due to liquid pressure, leading to elongation and displacement of irrigation accessories, which hampers water flow and positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A cross-laminated film with orientation directions rotated by twice the neutral bias angle is used to form pipes, minimizing longitudinal strain and enhancing resistance to internal fluid pressure, with optional adjustments for external friction to reduce strain and improve hoop stress resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fiber reinforcement is used in flexible pipes, then structural integrity and resistance to stress is improved, but longitudinal strain and elongation under liquid pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers of oriented polymer films with different orientation directions. Specifically, it uses a first oriented polymer film layer and a second oriented polymer film layer laminated together, where each layer has molecules oriented in specific directions to collectively resist longitudinal stress while minimizing elongation. This composite structure leverages the anisotropic properties of oriented polymers to achieve both strength and dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular orientation parameters of the polymer films by controlling the orientation directions during manufacturing. By adjusting the orientation angles and directions of the polymer molecules in each layer, the material properties are optimized to resist longitudinal stress. The first and second layers have different orientation parameters that work together to minimize longitudinal strain under internal fluid pressure.
2Length of stationary object
If pipe length is increased for agricultural irrigation, then coverage area is improved, but total longitudinal strain and displacement of accessories increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite oriented polymer film layers to create long pipes that maintain dimensional stability. The multi-layer structure with different molecular orientations distributes stress along the length of the pipe, preventing cumulative elongation that would otherwise occur in conventional flexible pipes. This allows irrigation pipes to be manufactured in longer lengths while maintaining positioning accuracy of accessories.
3Strength
If oriented polymer film layers are laminated with different orientation directions, then resistance to longitudinal stress is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls manufacturing complexity by systematically varying the orientation parameters of polymer films during the lamination process. The orientation directions and angles are precisely controlled during manufacturing to achieve the desired stress resistance properties. This parameter control approach allows for consistent production of pipes with optimized mechanical properties without excessive manufacturing complexity.
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 solution results in irrigation pipes with minimal or no longitudinal strain under water pressure, maintaining structural integrity and reducing displacement issues, while being cost-effective and suitable for agricultural applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first oriented optionally polymer film layer having a first orientation direction optionally laminated to a second optionally polymer film layer having a second orientation direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe (40) having a wall formed from a cross-laminated film(20), and a method of making such a pipe. The film is formed of first and second layers having respective first and second orientation directions (21, 22), wherein an angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and a projection of a longitudinal axis of the pipe on the wall is selected to enhance the resistance of the pipe to circumferential and/or longitudinal strain due to internal fluid pressure. The angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and a projection of the axis on the wall may be substantially equal to the neutral bias angle. In some cases, the angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and the projection of the axis on the wall may be substantially equal to 59° ± 2°.