Fiber-Plastic Outer Wrap for Corrugated Pipe Backfilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Corrugated pipes face challenges with backfilling due to their irregular shape, requiring additional construction work and materials, and triple wall pipes are heavier and more expensive.

Innovation Solution

Applying an outer wrap made of fibers and plastic in a helical pattern over the corrugated pipe to create a smooth surface, which can be made of different materials than the pipe, reducing weight and production costs while increasing strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If triple wall corrugated pipe is used to reduce backfilling complexity, then ease of operation improves, but weight increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackfilling efficiencyVSAvoidpipe weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe structure is segmented into two functional parts: the corrugated structural wall for strength and the smooth outer wrap for backfilling efficiency. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without the penalties of triple wall construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The smooth outer surface function is extracted as a separate wrap layer applied to the corrugated pipe, rather than being integrated into a heavy triple wall structure. This extraction reduces overall pipe weight while maintaining backfilling advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If triple wall corrugated pipe is used to reduce backfilling complexity, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackfilling efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The structural corrugated pipe and the smooth outer wrap are merged into a single composite structure, combining the advantages of both corrugated strength and smooth backfilling without the complexity and cost of triple wall construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer wrap acts as an intermediary layer between the corrugated pipe and the backfill material, providing the smooth surface needed for efficient backfilling without requiring a complex triple wall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If outer wrap is applied to corrugated pipe to create smooth surface, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackfilling efficiencyVSAvoidpipe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer wrap is applied as a relatively simple, lightweight layer rather than a permanent structural component, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the backfilling efficiency goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10927981B2Pipe with an outer wrap

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to corrugated pipe, and more particularly to corrugated pipe with an outer wrap. In one embodiment, a pipe includes an axially extended bore defined by a corrugated outer wall having axially adjacent, outwardly-extending corrugation crests, separated by corrugation valleys. The pipe also includes an outer wrap applied to the outer wall. The outer wrap may include fibers and plastic. The outer wrap may span the corrugation crests producing a smooth outer surface.