Grouting Tubular Body with Segmented Injection Conduits

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for consolidating unconsolidated ground using sleeve pipes are complex, costly, and labor-intensive, with the packer requiring significant operator skill and being prone to jamming, leading to inefficiencies and potential rework.

Innovation Solution

A tubular body with multiple injection conduits and non-return valves allows for sequential injection of a treatment mixture along the length of a hole, reducing the need for a packer and simplifying the grouting process by distributing the mixture radially through annular chambers and valves at different heights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sleeve pipes with packers are used for consolidation grouting, then ground consolidation can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and labor-intensive requiring skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground consolidation effectivenessVSAvoidgrouting operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the packer component from the grouting system. Instead of using a packer to isolate and control grout injection, the patent employs a tubular body with multiple injection conduits that distribute grout directly through radially arranged holes, removing the need for packer insertion, positioning, and manipulation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular body is divided into multiple injection conduits with radially arranged holes at different positions along the length. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential grout injection at multiple levels without requiring a packer to isolate individual sections, simplifying the operation while maintaining effective ground consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If packers are used to control grout injection levels, then targeted consolidation is achieved, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeted consolidation precisionVSAvoidgrouting equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular body incorporates multiple injection conduits with radially arranged holes positioned at different elevations along its length. Each conduit can be selectively activated to inject grout at specific target depths, achieving precise targeted consolidation without the mechanical complexity of packers and seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The radially arranged holes act as intermediaries that distribute grout from the injection conduits directly into the ground at controlled positions. This eliminates the need for packers as intermediary components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to target specific consolidation zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of stationary object

If multiple sleeve pipes are used to cover the required treatment length, then complete ground coverage is achieved, but the quantity of equipment and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverage lengthVSAvoidnumber of sleeve pipes required
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single tubular body is segmented into multiple injection conduits, each capable of injecting grout at different levels along its length. This allows one tubular body to replace multiple separate sleeve pipes, reducing equipment quantity and associated labor costs while achieving complete vertical coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple sleeve pipes into a single integrated tubular body with multiple injection conduits. This consolidation reduces the total number of components to be installed and handled, decreasing both equipment quantity and labor requirements while maintaining full treatment coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If packers are maneuvered to different heights for grouting, then sequential consolidation levels are achieved, but the time required for grouting operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequential consolidation level controlVSAvoidgrouting operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular body contains multiple injection conduits with radially arranged holes positioned at different elevations. These segmented injection points allow simultaneous or rapid sequential grout injection at multiple levels without the time-consuming operations of inserting, positioning, and retrieving packers between each grouting level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The injection conduits and radially arranged holes are pre-positioned at the required elevations during tubular body installation. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming packer maneuvers to reach different grouting levels, significantly accelerating the grouting operation while maintaining precise level control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces labor costs, enhances efficiency, and ensures consistent consolidation results by allowing for controlled and distributed injection of the cementitious mixture, minimizing the risk of jamming and improving the overall grouting process.

Implementation Method 1

a device for the treatment of ground, structures and the like by grouting, with a view in particular to the consolidation of predominantly unconsolidated or loose ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure injection: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the cementitious mixture, fed from outside of the sleeve pipe through a pipe reaching the packer, can flow out from the centre of the packer, in communication with the valve selected from time to time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

Along each injection conduit there are one or more openings opening outside the tubular body each located in a position along the longitudinal direction which differs from the positions of one or more openings along the longitudinal direction made along each other injection conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-return valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2959063B1Device, equipment and method for treating ground, constructions and the like by grouting
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 SOC CONSOLIDAMENTI E FONDI
  • EP2959063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2959063B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2959063B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A device for treating ground, structures and the like by grouting, comprising an extended tubular body (10) which has injection conduits (13) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X). One or more openings (150) each provided with a non-return valve, opening outwards from the tubular body (10) and each located in the position along the longitudinal direction (X-X), which is different from the position of the one or more openings (150) made along each other injection conduit (13), are provided along each injection conduit (13). A plurality of such consolidation devices are fed by at least one feed distributor member (52), provided with a feed inlet (66) and a plurality of outlets. Each outlet is connected to a feed pipe (33) ending in a distribution attachment (25), which can be selectively coupled to one end of the tubular body (10) of each of the treatment devices. Each of the outlets is thus in communication with a corresponding injection conduit (13) through the respective feed tube.