Infrared Heating Zones for Pipe Sleeve Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heating heat shrinkable sleeves around welded pipe joints during pipeline construction face challenges such as air entrapment, uneven heating, and damage due to manual operation with handheld torches, which result in imperfect installations and inadequate adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A heating apparatus comprising a frame with a thin, flexible heater device and a controller that allows for independent zone heating, enabling even and controlled heat distribution around the pipe joint, including the use of infrared elements and customizable thin film heating elements to conform to varying pipe diameters and coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If handheld flame torches are used to heat shrinkable sleeves, then the sleeves can be heated and shrunk onto the joint, but air entrapment occurs and installation becomes imperfect
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus divides the heating process into multiple independent zones (first heating zone for middle portion, second heating zone for end zones) that can operate sequentially or simultaneously. This segmentation allows controlled heating progression from middle to ends, preventing air entrapment while maintaining efficient heating speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus pre-heats the middle portion of the sleeve before heating the end zones. This preliminary action ensures that the sleeve shrinks from the middle outward in a controlled manner, preventing air pockets from forming underneath the shrunk material while maintaining overall installation quality.
2Ease of operation
If handheld torches are used for heating, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but uneven heating and damage to the sleeve occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from temperature sensors positioned in different zones and automatically adjusts the heating power and duration for each zone. This feedback control ensures uniform heating across the entire sleeve while preventing overheating and damage, maintaining both reliability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus dynamically changes heating parameters (temperature, power, duration) for different zones based on real-time conditions. The controller can adjust the first and second heating zones independently, ensuring uniform heating while preventing sleeve damage through precise parameter control.
3Speed
If intense heat is applied to preheat the joint, then the steel reaches desired temperature quickly, but the mainline coating gets damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus applies different heating intensities to different locations: intense heat is concentrated on the exposed steel joint area while reduced heat is applied to areas with mainline coating. This local quality differentiation allows rapid steel preheating while protecting the coating from damage through selective zone heating control.
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 apparatus ensures consistent and efficient heating, reducing air entrapment and damage, while allowing for precise temperature control to achieve optimal adhesion and faster installation, with benefits including reduced energy costs and improved worker safety.
Implementation Method 1
The heater device comprises a plurality of infrared heating elements spaced along the inner periphery of the support structure
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve is fitted to the pipe joint, then heat shrunk down onto the joint
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to an apparatus for heating an elongate tubular article, comprising a frame member adapted to be disposed around said article, a heater with multiple heating zones and a controller for operating the heating device. The apparatus may be used to apply a heat shrinkable sleeve around a welded pipe joint. The heater may be infrared and also may use thin stamped sheets. If a heat shrinkable sleeve is used, the controller may activate the heating zones from the centre of the weld outward to eliminate pockets of air. The diameter of the interior of the frame may change along the length of the frame.