Deformable Collar Liner for Sealed Conduit Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for relining conduits, especially those with branches, often result in discontinuities that lead to shear stress and debris buildup, requiring impractical access to the main conduit for rehabilitation, which increases time and costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a deformable collar portion on the liner for conduit branches, which deforms to fit snugly within the main conduit, forming a seal and allowing for a continuous lining without the need for separate access or additional tools, combined with a resin-impregnated material for curing in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a continuous liner is inserted into the main conduit to reline it, then the lining process is simplified and cost-effective, but branches or junctions within the original conduit are sealed off and require complex reopening procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is segmented into a main conduit portion and a branch conduit portion that can be independently positioned and installed. The collar structure divides the sealing function between the main liner and the branch liner, allowing each to be installed separately while maintaining continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is pre-formed with a diameter greater than the branch conduit internal diameter, allowing it to be inserted into the main conduit first and positioned at the branch opening before the branch liner is installed. This preliminary positioning simplifies the subsequent branch liner installation.
2Ease of operation
If access is provided to the inside of the main conduit to reopen branches, then branches can be reconnected, but the time taken to rehabilitate the conduit vastly increases and many benefits of relining are negated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accessing the main conduit from the inside to reopen branches, the invention inverts the approach by inserting the collar and branch liner from the branch conduit opening itself. The collar extends into the main conduit and is overlaid by the main conduit liner, creating a seal without requiring internal access.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the main conduit liner and the branch liner. It provides a mechanical connection and sealing interface between the two liners, eliminating the need for complex internal access procedures to reconnect branches.
3Ease of operation
If the collar is made deformable with a diameter greater than the branch conduit internal diameter, then the collar can be easily inserted and positioned in the main conduit, but the collar must be held securely to prevent displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with deformable material that changes state during installation. It is inserted in a flexible state allowing it to conform to the branch conduit opening, then it is secured by the overlaying main conduit liner which prevents displacement and maintains positional stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is constructed from flexible material that allows it to be deformed during insertion and then maintains its position when constrained by the main conduit liner. The flexibility enables easy installation while the constraining action of the overlaying liner provides the necessary positional stability.
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 eliminates discontinuities in the lining, reduces the need for internal access, and ensures a tight, durable seal, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the relining process while maintaining conduit functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The resin is maintained in a soft state during insertion of the liner and can then be cured once the liner is in place so as to form a rigid inner which both relines and strengthens the original conduit
Implementation Method 2
the liner of the first conduit is pliable and includes a resin impregnated material which is cured once the collar portion is in the correct position in contact with the liner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention which is the subject of the application relates to a means of providing a liner (28) for a conduit or pipeline (12), which liner (28) has a collar (32) at at least one end thereof. Said collar (32) is deformable to allow the liner (28) to pass along the interior of the conduit or pipeline (12) and expands at an opening of the same so as to be pressed against the ends of the conduit (12). In one embodiment the collar (32) is positioned at the opening into a further conduit or pipeline (10) along the length thereof and can be overlaid by a liner (20) for that conduit or pipeline (10) thereby providing a sealed joint between the said two conduits (12,10) or pipelines where they join.