Expandable Joining Sleeve for Lined Pipe Welding Heat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding processes damage corrosion-resistant liners in pipeline sections due to high temperatures, and existing solutions fail to effectively protect these liners during the joining of pipeline sections.
Innovation Solution
A joining sleeve with a collar that expands to provide thermal insulation and a physical barrier, using a split ring design with an overlap to protect the liners from heat transfer and molten weld metal, and is formed from materials with high heat resistance like refractory metals or thermally insulating materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to join pipeline sections, then the joint strength is improved, but the internal liners are damaged by heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A joining sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the pipeline sections and their internal liners. The sleeve includes a collar that expands to contact the inner walls of the pipe sections, creating a physical barrier that prevents direct heat transfer to the liners while allowing the welding process to proceed on the outer pipe sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining sleeve is divided into functional segments: a sleeve body that connects the liners and a collar that provides thermal protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the sleeve body ensures liner continuity while the collar protects against heat damage during welding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective collar is added to the joining sleeve, then thermal protection of liners is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with expandable characteristics, allowing it to transition from a compact state during installation to an expanded state during welding operation. This dynamic feature enables the collar to provide adequate thermal protection only when needed, simplifying the installation process while ensuring protection during the welding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is positioned within or around the joining sleeve body, creating a nested structure where the protective element is integrated into the existing device framework. This nesting approach adds protection functionality without requiring a completely separate protective system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the collar expands to increase outer diameter, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but the space available in the pipe section is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is installed in a retracted or compact state before the welding operation begins. It is only after the joining sleeve is in place and before or during welding that the collar expands to its protective configuration. This preliminary installation approach ensures adequate space is available during assembly while providing protection when needed.
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 sleeve effectively protects the internal liners from damage during welding by reducing heat transfer and containing the weld pool, ensuring the liners remain intact and the pipeline remains corrosion-resistant.
Implementation Method 1
the collar is configured to protect the sleeve body and the internal liners during a welding operation... the collar having a first retracted condition in which it has a first outer diameter, and a second expanded condition in which it has a second outer diameter, larger than the first outer diameter
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention in one aspect provides a joining sleeve configured to connect internal liners of two internally lined pipe sections across a welded pipe section joint and a method of use. The joining sleeve comprises a sleeve body having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to couple with opposing ends of first and second internal liners respectively. A collar is disposed around the outer surface of the sleeve body, the collar having a first retracted condition in which it has a first outer diameter, and a second expanded condition in which it has a second outer diameter, larger than the first outer diameter.