Elastic Tube Packer Structure for Concrete Crack Grouting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete structures are prone to cracking due to shrinkage, temperature changes, and water leakage, leading to moisture and air penetration, which can cause corrosion of reinforcing rods and reduce the structure's lifetime and stability, and existing packer structures fail to effectively prevent repair liquid leakage during grouting.
Innovation Solution
A packer structure with an elastic tube that includes a flange with a groove for a sealer, a central tube with a decreasing external circumference and inclined surface, a check valve, and coupling caps to securely pressurize the elastic tube, preventing repair liquid leakage and ensuring effective grouting by injecting the liquid into cracks using a deflation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packer structures are used, then the structure is simple, but repair liquid leaks from both ends of the elastic tube
Solution Approach 1:
The packer structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a packer body for anchoring, coupling caps for sealing, and an elastic tube for grout containment. This segmentation allows each component to address specific leakage points, improving overall reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling caps are pre-equipped with pressurizing surfaces that apply pressure to the elastic tube before grouting begins. This preliminary action ensures the tube is securely compressed and sealed at both ends, preventing leakage during the grouting process without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the elastic tube is loosely coupled, then the structure is easy to assemble, but repair liquid leaks from both ends
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling caps transform the coupling parameter from loose to tightly compressed by applying radial pressure through pressurizing surfaces. This parameter change ensures the elastic tube is firmly sealed against the coupling portions, achieving reliable sealing while maintaining simple assembly through the self-compressing mechanism.
3Productivity
If repair liquid is injected under high pressure, then grouting effectiveness is improved, but repair liquid may leak from uncoupled ends
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling caps provide beforehand cushioning by pre-compressing the elastic tube at both ends before high-pressure grouting begins. This creates a sealed containment system that can withstand high injection pressures without leaking, allowing efficient grouting while maintaining reliability.
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 packer structure effectively prevents repair liquid leakage and ensures strong coupling of the elastic tube, allowing for efficient injection of grout into concrete cracks, thereby enhancing the structural integrity and longevity of concrete structures by preventing moisture and air penetration.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic tube having a first end connected to the first coupling portion, wherein the elastic tube inflates and deflates elastically, a repair liquid is contained in the elastic tube while the elastic tube inflates, and the repair liquid is injected into the crack by a deflation force
Implementation Method 2
a first coupling cap having an inner circumference surface of a lower portion screwed to the central tube, wherein a first pressurizing surface is formed on an inner circumference surface of an upper portion of the first coupling cap so as to pressurize the elastic tube towards the first inclined surface; and a second coupling cap having an inner circumference surface of an upper portion screwed to the repair liquid injecting tube, wherein a second pressurizing surface is formed on an inner circumference surface of a lower portion of the second coupling cap so as to pressurize the elastic tube towards the second inclined surface
Implementation Method 3
a check valve coupled to the repair liquid injecting tube and preventing the repair liquid from flowing backward
Implementation Method 4
a flange adhered onto the crack by a sealer, wherein a groove portion accommodating the sealer is formed on a lower surface of the flange
Data Source
AI summary
A packer structure for grouting injects a repair liquid into a crack of a concrete structure. The packer structure includes a packer body having a flange adhered onto the crack and a central tube extending upwards from a central portion of the flange, an elastic tube having a first end connected to a first coupling portion of the central tube, a repair liquid injecting tube having a second coupling portion connected to a second end of the elastic tube and a check valve coupled to the repair liquid injecting tube and preventing the repair liquid from flowing backward; a first coupling cap having an inner circumference surface of a lower portion screwed to the central tube, and a second coupling cap having an inner circumference surface of an upper portion screwed to the repair liquid injecting tube.