Flexible Electromagnetic Shielding Laminate for Pipe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Faraday cage shielding solutions for electronic circuitry in pipes are vulnerable in high temperature applications due to the use of materials incompatible with high temperatures and require adhesives that induce mechanical stress and are difficult to adapt to individual pipe dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible laminate with a conductive layer and insulating substrate, where the conductive layer forms a continuous grid and is bonded to the substrate without adhesives, allowing for easy rolling and positioning within the pipe, providing insulation on both sides and mechanical protection, and can be adapted to fit specific dimensions by adjusting the number of sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive film is used to bond metal-clad laminates together, then the layered structure can be assembled, but the adhesive material is not suitable for high temperature applications and may disintegrate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is completely removed from the structure. Instead of bonding laminates with adhesive film, the patent uses mechanical interlocking through overlapping edges that are folded back and secured with clips, eliminating the temperature-sensitive adhesive component entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
Metal clips serve as intermediary elements to secure the overlapping laminate edges. These clips provide the bonding function previously performed by adhesive, but are temperature-resistant mechanical fasteners that maintain structural integrity in high temperature environments.
2Reliability
If multiple laminates are bonded together with adhesive, then shielding is provided, but mechanical stress from bending causes adhesion failure
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding structure is divided into multiple separate laminate sections rather than bonding them into a single rigid unit. Each section can bend independently, and they are connected through overlapping edges secured by clips, allowing the structure to flex without creating stress concentrations that would cause adhesion failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminate sections are designed as thin, flexible components that can bend and conform to the pipe geometry. The overlapping edge configuration with clips maintains electrical continuity while allowing flexible movement, preventing mechanical stress from compromising the shielding integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size laminates are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptation to individual pipe dimensions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is divided into multiple modular laminate sections of standardized sizes. These sections can be manufactured using standard production processes, then combined in different configurations to fit various pipe diameters and lengths, providing both manufacturing efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminate sections are designed with universal overlapping edges and clip attachment mechanisms that work across different pipe sizes. The same basic component design can be adapted to various applications by adjusting the number and arrangement of sections, eliminating the need for custom-manufactured laminates for each pipe dimension.
4Reliability
If thick layered structure is used for shielding, then protection is improved, but insertion into pipe becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing thickness in the radial dimension, the patent achieves enhanced shielding by stacking multiple thin laminate sections in the axial dimension. The overlapping edges and multiple layers provide effective electromagnetic shielding while keeping each individual section thin enough for easy insertion into the pipe.
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 solution provides robust, cost-effective, and reliable shielding against environmental noise and mechanical wear, maintaining integrity in high temperature environments without the risks associated with adhesives and ensuring proper fitment within pipes.
Implementation Method 1
a Faraday cage shielding was provided by two double-sided, metal-clad laminates bonded together by an adhesive film
Implementation Method 2
a flexible laminate with a conductive layer and insulating substrate, where the conductive layer forms a continuous grid and is bonded to the substrate without adhesives, allowing for easy rolling and positioning within the pipe, providing insulation on both sides
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrically insulating flexible laminate for positioning inside a pipe having a known inner circumference. The laminate has a first dimension extending a chosen length along the pipe and includes a first section comprising an electrically conductive area on an electrically insulating material and a second section being constituted by said electrically insulating material. The first and second section each has a second dimension at least exceeding said inner circumference of the pipe, the second section thus being adapted to cover said first section when positioned along the inner circumference of said pipe.