Flexible Repair Patch for Curved Material Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for repairing holes in material guides, such as conveyors and pipes, often require tools, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners, and are not adaptable to different diameters or curvatures, limiting their effectiveness and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A repair apparatus with a patch body that is resiliently deformable and equipped with magnets or strap assemblies, allowing it to conform to various curvatures and diameters without tools or adhesives, using a wear-resistant liner to cover holes in material guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional repair methods (tape, adhesives, wood, wire, chemically-cured resins, clamp repairs) are used, then holes in material guides can be patched, but the repair process requires tools and is not adaptable to different diameters or curvatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patch body is designed with a resilient, deformable structure that allows it to universally fit multiple different guide diameters and curvatures. The patch can be elastically deformed during installation and then springs back to its original shape, conforming to the specific curvature of each guide without requiring custom fabrication for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch body's physical parameters (shape, curvature radius) are changed through elastic deformation during installation. By applying force to deform the patch and then releasing it, the patch automatically adjusts its curvature to match the guide, eliminating the need for manual shaping or multiple specialized patches.
2Ease of operation
If traditional repair methods are used, then holes can be patched, but the installation process is complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, adhesives requiring tools) with a magnetic retention system. Magnets embedded in the patch body automatically attract to the metallic guide surface, providing secure attachment without any tools, fasteners, or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch body performs self-alignment and self-securing through its resilient deformation capability and magnetic retention. When placed near the guide, the patch automatically deforms to fit the curvature and the magnets automatically engage with the guide surface, requiring no manual adjustment or tool-assisted fastening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal patch design is used, then the same patch can fit different guide sizes, but the patch must be resiliently deformable which may reduce structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patch body is constructed from composite materials that combine high resilience with high strength. This allows the patch to undergo significant elastic deformation for fitting different curvatures while maintaining sufficient structural strength to withstand the forces exerted by flowing materials and maintain its integrity over time.
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 quick, tool-free installation and removal of the patch on a wide range of material guides, providing a durable, wear-resistant surface for guiding flowable materials without damaging the guide, and can be adjusted to fit different diameters and curvatures.
Implementation Method 1
At least one magnet is connected to the patch body and configured to fixedly retain the patch body on the wall portion to cover the hole
Implementation Method 2
The patch body is resiliently deformable to increase a widthwise radius of curvature of the patch body whereby the patch body can be selectively adjusted to generally conform to a curvature of the wall portion
Data Source
AI summary
A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.