Interlocking Arc-Profile Pipeline Assembly for Large-Diameter Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline assembly methods are inefficient for manufacturing large diameter pipes due to the weight and size of traditional materials, making transportation and installation cumbersome, and the extrusion process is not suitable for producing pipes greater than 2 meters in diameter.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline assembly using malleable sheets with interlocking tongue and groove joints that form a tubular body, allowing for easier bending and clamping to create arc-shaped profiles, which can be sealed with liquid plastic or electrofusion welding, enabling the creation of larger pipes with reduced weight and improved transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pipe modules are made from concrete or metal to withstand high differential pressures, then the pipeline can bear high pressure, but the pipe modules become too heavy to handle and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline is divided into multiple modular pipe sections that can be assembled in series. Each module contains a liner element with integrated reinforcement structures, creating self-contained units that are lighter than traditional concrete pipes yet maintain pressure resistance through the composite structure of liner plus reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe modules use composite construction combining a liner material (resistant to corrosion and pressure) with reinforcement structures (providing mechanical strength). This composite approach reduces weight compared to solid concrete or metal pipes while maintaining the ability to withstand high differential pressures
2Productivity
If pipe modules are made larger to reduce the number of connections, then the assembly is quicker, but the extrusion process becomes inefficient for pipes greater than 2 meters in diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline system uses standardized modular sections that can be manufactured using efficient extrusion processes for smaller diameters, then assembled in series to achieve large overall pipeline lengths and diameters. This avoids the inefficiency of extruding single large-diameter pipes while maintaining quick assembly through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing pipe diameter in a single dimension, the solution achieves large pipeline capacity by extending in the longitudinal dimension through serial connection of multiple modules, allowing efficient manufacturing of individual sections while creating large-scale pipeline systems through assembly
3Quantity of substance
If pipe modules are made larger to reduce transportation trips, then bulk transportation is enabled, but the handling and transport of individual modules becomes more difficult due to size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline system divides the total pipeline volume into multiple manageable modular sections. Each module is sized and weighted for efficient handling and transport, yet multiple modules can be assembled to create large-diameter, long-distance pipelines capable of bulk material transportation. The modular design allows standardization of handling equipment and procedures
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional extrusion process is used to manufacture plastic pipes, then the manufacturing process is established, but the process is inefficient for manufacturing huge pipes of diameter greater than 2 meters
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to extrude single large-diameter pipes which is inefficient, the system extrudes multiple smaller-diameter modular sections using established extrusion processes, then assembles them in series. This maintains the efficiency of standard extrusion manufacturing while achieving the capability to produce large-diameter pipeline systems
Solution Approach 2:
The solution shifts from trying to increase extrusion diameter (one-dimensional scaling) to increasing pipeline length through serial assembly of multiple extruded modules (longitudinal dimension). This allows efficient use of extrusion processes while achieving large-scale pipeline capacity
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 method allows for the quicker and simpler assembly of longer, larger pipelines with reduced weight, enabling bulk manufacturing and transportation, while maintaining structural integrity to withstand differential pressures, and can be adapted for various substances and structures.
Implementation Method 1
the hole receives a liquid plastic or adhesive material to form an air-tight seal between the tongue and the groove
Implementation Method 2
the hole receives one or more electrically conductive components to allow electrofusion welding between the tongue and the groove
Implementation Method 3
bending a malleable sheet to form an arc-shaped profile member
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pipeline assembly and a manufacturing method therefore. The pipeline assembly (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises one or more tubular bodies (11, 21, 31, 41, 42) formed of one or more arc-shaped profile members (12, 22, 32, 33, 43, 44). Each arc-shaped profile member (12, 22, 32, 33, 43, 44) includes a tongue (12a, 22a, 32a, 33a) at one first edge and a groove (12b, 22b, 32b, 33b) at another first edge, wherein the first edges are opposite to one another.