Embedded Wire Detection for Buried Corrugated Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrugated polyethylene pipes are difficult to locate and repair due to their flexibility and underground burial, often requiring extensive excavation.
Innovation Solution
Embedding an electrically conductive wire parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe allows for detection using a metal detector, minimizing excavation needed for location, repair, or inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If corrugated polyethylene pipe is made lightweight for easy transport and installation, then ease of operation is improved, but the pipe becomes flexible and difficult to locate when buried underground
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically conductive wire is embedded within the corrugated polyethylene pipe structure, nesting a detection element inside the pipe wall. This allows the pipe to maintain its lightweight, flexible construction while incorporating a detectable component that enables location tracking when buried underground.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive wire serves as an intermediary element between the buried pipe and detection equipment above ground. The wire transmits detectable signals through the pipe structure, allowing workers to locate the pipe using standard metal detection equipment without excavation.
2Reliability
If corrugated pipe is buried underground for water management systems, then it performs its drainage function, but extensive excavation is required to locate and repair it
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive wire is nested within the pipe wall structure, allowing continuous detection along the buried pipe's length. This enables workers to quickly locate the pipe and specific problem areas without extensive excavation, significantly reducing repair time and cost while the pipe maintains its drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of locating pipes through physical excavation with an electrical/detection-based approach using the conductive wire and metal detection equipment. This substitution allows for non-intrusive pipe location and facilitates easier repair operations.
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
Enables efficient detection and minimal excavation for pipe location, repair, and inspection, while also providing means for static dissipation, heating, and improved heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
An electrically conductive wire is embedded in the corrugated pipe body, so that the wire spans adjacent ribs and valleys and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends
Implementation Method 2
providing means for static dissipation
Implementation Method 3
providing means for heating
Implementation Method 4
improved heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A corrugated pipe includes a corrugated pipe body circumscribing a hollow conduit and including alternating ribs and valleys extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end thereof. An electrically conductive wire is embedded in the corrugated pipe body, so that the wire spans adjacent ribs and valleys and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends.