Inflatable Stent Structure for High-Pressure Pipe Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stents and inflatable devices are inadequate for use in harsh environments such as high-pressure gas, oil, and water systems, and medical applications, requiring improved solutions for efficient deployment and effective maintenance of pipe systems with damaged sections.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable stent design featuring an inner and outer flexible membrane with connecting members and inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portions, allowing for radial spacing and secure engagement with pipes of varying diameters, providing a robust and flexible structure for maintaining fluid flow while allowing for deployment in pressurized systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer inflatable stent is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide sufficient structural support and adaptability in harsh high-pressure environments
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple functional layers: an inner membrane layer for sealing and engagement with the pipe, and an outer membrane layer for structural support. These layers are connected through radial connecting members, creating a segmented multi-layer structure that provides both manufacturability and reliability in high-pressure environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent employs composite construction with inner and outer membranes made from flexible materials that can be inflated to different pressures. The combination of these different material layers and their radial connection creates a composite structure that maintains reliability while remaining manufacturable.
2Strength
If the stent structure is made rigid to maintain shape and provide support, then structural support is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to pipes of varying diameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stent transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic, inflatable structure. The inner and outer membranes can be inflated to different degrees, allowing the stent to adapt its shape and size dynamically. This enables the stent to conform to pipes of varying diameters while maintaining structural support when fully inflated.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent utilizes parameter changes through inflation pressure to achieve both adaptability and structural support. By controlling the inflation pressure of the inner and outer membranes independently, the stent can adjust its diameter and rigidity to match different pipe conditions, providing versatility without sacrificing strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stent is designed to engage securely with pipes of varying diameters, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the engagement mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent employs pneumatic inflation through radial connecting members to achieve secure engagement with pipes of varying diameters. By injecting fluid or gas into the annular space between the inner and outer membranes, the stent expands and adapts to the pipe diameter automatically, providing adaptability without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the stent uses multiple layers and connecting members to provide structural support, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent structure follows the nested doll principle with the inner membrane nested within the outer membrane. The radial connecting members connect these nested layers, creating a compact multi-layer structure that provides enhanced reliability through layered construction while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity.
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 stent effectively isolates damaged sections, maintains fluid flow, and allows for secure engagement with pipes of different diameters, reducing the risk of further damage and enabling efficient repair or inspection, even in high-pressure environments.
Implementation Method 1
an inner membrane of a flexible sheet material defining a first end and a second end of the inflatable portion, and a passage there between when inflated; and an outer membrane of a flexible sheet material disposed about the inner membrane
Implementation Method 2
The inflatable portion is further provided with at least one inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion that defines a second, larger diameter of the stent, when the inflatable portion is inflated
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An inflatable stent (1) for use in the repair and maintenance of pipes such as water or gas supply pipes, or for use as a medical device comprises an inflatable portion (9) having an inner and outer membrane (2, 10). When inflated, the inner and outer membranes (2, 10) are radially spaced apart to define an annular space (20) there between. The inner membrane (2) defines a passage (8) between a first (4) and second (6) end and the outer membrane (10) defines a first diameter (D1) of the stent (1). The inner and outer membranes (2, 10) are connected by a plurality of connecting members (22) in the annular space (20). End caps (16, 18) are disposed on the first (4) and second (6) ends of the stent (1) which connect the inner and outer membranes (2, 10). The inflatable portion (9) further comprises an inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion (32) that defines a second, larger diameter (D2) of the stent (1), when inflated.