Heated Fluid Inversion Cap for Pipe Liner Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for repairing buried pipes by inserting a liner impregnated with curable resins require a curing time of three to eight hours, which is lengthy and dependent on ambient temperatures, necessitating a solution to shorten this process regardless of temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing heated fluids, such as steam, to accelerate the curing process of the resin, including an inversion cap with ports for fluid communication, a manifold for controlling heated fluid and air pressure, and a calibration tube for enhanced safety and functionality, allowing for faster resin curing by conducting heat through the inflatable bladder or plastic liner layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If ambient temperature curing is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but curing time is long (3-8 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
A heating medium (water or air) is introduced as an intermediary to transfer thermal energy from the heating apparatus to the resin-coated liner. The heating medium circulates through the inversion apparatus, absorbing and delivering heat to accelerate resin curing without requiring direct contact between the heating element and the liner, thus reducing curing time while maintaining equipment simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing process parameters are changed by introducing controlled heat energy into the system. By adjusting the temperature of the heating medium and controlling the duration of heat application, the resin curing time is reduced from 3-8 hours to a shorter period, while the heating apparatus can be adjusted to provide different temperature levels as needed.
2Productivity
If heated fluid is used to accelerate curing, then curing time is reduced, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inversion apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can inflate the liner into the pipe, circulate heating medium through the liner, and facilitate resin curing. By combining these functions into a single multi-functional apparatus, the need for separate equipment is reduced, and the overall system complexity is minimized while still achieving accelerated curing and improved productivity.
3Loss of time
If heating apparatus is added, then curing time decreases, but initial setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus and heating medium circulation system are pre-integrated into the inversion apparatus before field deployment. This preliminary integration means that when the apparatus is deployed at the repair site, the heating capability is already in place and ready to use, minimizing the additional setup time required while enabling reduced curing times through the pre-configured heating system.
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 use of heated fluids significantly reduces the resin curing time, enabling quicker repair of pipes by accelerating the curing process through heat conduction, independent of ambient temperatures, and can be applied to various types of pipes and conduits.
Implementation Method 1
accelerating the curing process through heat conduction
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that accelerates curing of resin in a liner for a buried pipe includes a lining assembly connected to a pressurized fluid source. One embodiment includes an inversion cap having an inversion port, a curing port and a drainage port. The apparatus also includes a manifold having an outlet, a first inlet in valved fluid communication with a heated fluid source, a second inlet in valved fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a third inlet in valved fluid communication with the drainage port. While heated fluid enters the first end of the assembly via the manifold, a release fitting which allows fluids to escape through the second end thereof.