Cured-In-Place Liner Connections for Standalone Pipe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe rehabilitation methods rely on the existing pipe structure to form a fluid-tight flow path, which can be inadequate for damaged or eroded pipes, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in fluid transmission.
Innovation Solution
A cured-in-place liner system is installed within the existing pipe, comprising separately formed lengths of resin-cured liners that are sealed independently to create a standalone, fluid-tight flow path, using molds to shape and cure the liners for secure connections without relying on the existing pipe structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional pipe lining operations use seals with the existing pipe to form the rehabilitated flow path, then the installation process is simplified, but the reliability of the fluid-tight flow path deteriorates when the existing pipe is damaged or eroded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow path formation from dependence on the existing pipe structure. The liner system forms a complete, self-contained flow path that is independent of the host pipe's structural integrity, eliminating the need for seals against the existing pipe and thereby resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and flow path reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner system is divided into separate segments that are joined together to form the complete flow path. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently installed and sealed to adjacent segments, creating a reliable fluid-tight path without depending on the existing pipe structure, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Reliability
If the liner system is made independent of the existing pipe structure, then the reliability of fluid transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separate formation and sealing of liner lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The liner segments are nested within the existing pipe structure during installation, with each segment containing sealing mechanisms that interface with adjacent segments. This nesting approach allows the complex multi-segment system to be installed through the existing pipe without requiring external assembly, thereby reducing the apparent device complexity while maintaining independence from the host pipe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the liner segments with integrated sealing mechanisms into a unified system where the seals are inherent to the liner structure itself rather than separate components. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating additional sealing components while maintaining the reliable, independent flow path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separately formed lengths of liner are used to create the rehabilitated flow path, then the adaptability to damaged pipes is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for forming secure connections
Solution Approach 1:
The liner segments incorporate localized thickening or reinforcement at the connection ends to accommodate sealing mechanisms. This local quality enhancement at critical connection points provides the necessary manufacturing precision and sealing capability without requiring the entire liner system to meet high precision standards, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
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 provides a reliable, fluid-tight rehabilitation system that is independent of the existing pipe's structural integrity, ensuring effective fluid transmission and reducing the risk of contamination, while allowing for flexible and efficient installation of the liner system.
Implementation Method 1
The liner is impregnated with a curable resin and the liner is cured whereby the mold causes the connecting section to cure in a predetermined desired configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A cured in place liner system and associated connections and methods are disclosed. The cured in place pipe system forms a completely rehabilitated, stand-alone, fluid-tight flow path between upstream and downstream portions of an existing pipe system. The rehabilitated flow path is stand-alone in that the liner system does not rely on structure of the portion of the pipe system through which the liner system is installed to define the fluid-tight flow path. The flow path between upstream and downstream portions of the liner system is defined by and made fluid-tight solely by components of the rehabilitation system such as cured in place liners and couplers. The portion of the pipe system through which the rehabilitation system is installed merely provides a path (e.g., through the ground) through which the cured in place liner system can be inserted. After the cured in place liner system is installed, the liner system forms a fluid-tight flow path between an upstream portion of the pipe system and a downstream portion of the pipe system. Various types of connections may be used. In addition, various types of methods may be used in forming the connections, such as using a mold to cure connecting sections of the cured in place liners in desired configurations (e.g., having a generally circular outer profile) for forming connections with the liners.