Gas Pipe Branch Fitting for Fiber Optic Line Insertion and Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high investment costs associated with developing fiber optic infrastructure in rural areas, particularly due to civil engineering expenses, make it economically unviable, and existing methods lack a practical technology for guiding fiber optic lines into or out of gas lines.
Innovation Solution
A fitting system that allows for the easy, safe, and reliable insertion and removal of glass fiber transport lines into gas lines using a pipe-in-pipe solution with a shaped body and branch closure adapted to the fiber optic line, enabling a modular design for different diameters and electrofusion welding for a gas-tight connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fiber optic cables are installed directly in gas pipelines using existing methods, then fiber optic infrastructure can be expanded, but the installation is complex, unsafe, and lacks practical routing technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pipe-in-pipe solution where the fiber optic transport line is nested inside the gas pipeline through a shaped component with through-channels. This allows the fiber optic cable to be routed through the gas pipeline infrastructure without requiring separate burial, utilizing the existing gas pipeline corridor for dual-purpose utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped component acts as an intermediary device that facilitates the connection between the gas pipeline and fiber optic transport line. It provides through-channels that guide the fiber optic cable through the gas pipeline while maintaining the integrity and safety of the gas infrastructure, solving the routing problem through a mediating structural element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic cables are installed directly in gas pipelines, then infrastructure sharing is achieved, but safety and reliability of gas sealing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped component is divided into multiple segments including a body portion and end portions that can be separately connected to the gas pipeline. This segmentation allows for modular installation and maintains distinct functional zones - the gas flow channel and the fiber optic through-channel - thereby preserving gas sealing integrity while enabling fiber optic routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped component provides localized sealing structures at specific positions where the fiber optic transport line penetrates the gas pipeline wall. The sealing elements are positioned precisely at the penetration points to maintain gas tightness, while the through-channels provide dedicated pathways for fiber optic cables without compromising the overall gas pipeline sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If fiber optic cables are installed using traditional methods, then installation can be performed, but excavation costs and civil engineering expenses are extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped component serves multiple functions: it maintains gas flow through the pipeline, provides sealing at penetration points, and guides fiber optic cables through dedicated through-channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate burial trenches and civil engineering works, as the same infrastructure corridor is utilized for both gas distribution and fiber optic deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic transport line is nested within the gas pipeline infrastructure through the shaped component, allowing dual utilization of the same right-of-way. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate excavation and civil engineering projects that would traditionally be required for fiber optic cable burial, significantly reducing construction costs.
4Reliability
If a fitting system is installed to route fiber optic lines through gas pipelines, then safe and reliable installation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped component combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: gas flow channel, fiber optic through-channels, and sealing structures are merged into one component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to traditional multi-component fitting systems, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining safety and reliability.
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
This solution simplifies the laying of fiber optic lines by allowing independent sealing and pressure testing of gas lines, enabling separate companies to handle gas and fiber optic installations, reducing costs and complexity, and ensuring a reliable, gas-tight introduction of fiber optic lines without obstructing the gas flow.
Implementation Method 1
with heating coil wires (22, 24, 54, 60) arranged on the first and second ends (8, 10) of the pipe section (6) and on the branch closure (30), for producing heating coil welds
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting system (2) for introducing a fiber optic transport line (3) into a gas line (12, 12'), comprising a molded body (4) with a pipe section (6) having a first (8) and a second end (10) for connection to a gas line (12, 12'), wherein the pipe section (6) surrounds a channel (14) extending from the first (8) to the second end (10), and with a branch spigot (16) extending laterally from the pipe section (6), which surrounds a branch channel (20) extending from the channel (14) to a branch opening (18), and a branch closure (30) adapted to the branch spigot (16) for closing the branch opening (18), wherein the branch closure (30) has a through channel (56) for passing a fiber optic transport line (3) through it.The invention further relates to a system (1) with such a fitting system (2) and a method for laying a fiber optic transmission line (3) using such a system (1) and the use of such a fitting system (2) or such a system (1) for laying a fiber optic transmission line (3) in a gas pipeline (12, 12').