Double-Wall Pipe Half-Shell Segments Curvature Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double-wall pipes with rigid inner pipes cannot be easily integrated into curved outer pipes due to geometric constraints, limiting their application in transport means like aircraft, where safety regulations require double-wall designs for fuel systems and heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A double-wall pipe design featuring an outer pipe composed of two half-shell segments joined along their longitudinal edges, allowing for robust, lightweight construction with substantial or multiple curvatures, using metal or metal alloys for both pipes, and a method of producing these pipes by splitting an initial pipe along its neutral bending line to accommodate a metallic or plastic inner pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid bent inner pipe is integrated into a curved outer pipe, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the geometric compatibility and ease of integration deteriorate due to substantial or multiple curvatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of integration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The outer pipe is divided into two separate half-shell pipe segments that are joined together. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured with appropriate curvature while accommodating the rigid inner pipe, and then assembled to form the complete curved outer pipe structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer pipe is constructed by joining two half-shell segments along their longitudinal edges, effectively adding a dimensional approach to creating curved geometries. This allows the outer pipe to wrap around the inner pipe in curved configurations that would be impossible with a single rigid piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the outer pipe is constructed from two half-shell segments joined along longitudinal edges, then the adaptability to curvatures and geometric flexibility are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to curvaturesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer pipe is divided into two half-shell segments that can be manufactured separately and then joined. This segmentation provides the geometric flexibility needed to accommodate various curvature requirements while keeping each individual segment manufacturable with standard processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The half-shell segments are designed with curved geometries that allow them to wrap around the inner pipe in curved configurations. The longitudinal edge joining method enables these curved segments to be assembled into complete outer pipes with substantial or multiple curvatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9458954B2Double-wall pipe and production process

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A double-wall pipe for a transportation means which includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe extending therein. The outer pipe has two pipe segments which are formed like half-shells and are joined together to form the outer pipe along the longitudinal edges thereof. In this way, it is possible to make both the outer pipe and the inner pipe of metal, such that the wall thickness of the inner pipe can be relatively small.