Irrigation Conduit Repair Patch with Compressive Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Irrigation conduits made of thin plastic film frequently rupture, tear, or puncture, leading to water leaks, overwatering, and flooding, requiring lengthy and labor-intensive repairs.

Innovation Solution

A repair device with a flexible patch body and interior seal, such as foam or rubber, that secures around the failure using attachment edges like zippers or hook and loop fasteners, reducing water leakage and providing a more durable repair by compressing the conduit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional repair methods are used for thin film irrigation conduits, then the conduit can be repaired, but the repair process requires extended time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit integrityVSAvoidrepair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The repair device is divided into multiple functional components: a flexible patch body for covering the failure, an interior seal (foam or rubber) for blocking water leakage, and attachment edges with fasteners for securing the device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling quick repair without extended labor time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The repair device is pre-assembled with the patch body, interior seal, and attachment edges configured before deployment. The farmer can directly install the complete device around the failure without performing complex assembly steps on-site, significantly reducing repair time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If thin plastic film conduits are used for irrigation, then the conduits are flexible and easy to deploy, but they frequently rupture, tear, and puncture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit deploymentVSAvoidconduit durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The repair device combines multiple materials with complementary properties: a flexible patch body made of plastic film (matching the conduit material for flexibility), an interior seal made of foam or rubber (for durability and water blocking), and attachment edges with fasteners (for secure mounting). This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for easy deployment and the durability required to prevent future failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The interior seal (foam or rubber) is positioned between the patch body and the conduit failure site before the conduit is pressurized. This pre-positioned cushioning element protects the薄弱 repair area from water pressure and mechanical stress, preventing subsequent ruptures and tears that would otherwise occur in thin film conduits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the repair device uses a simple patch without interior seal, then the device complexity is reduced, but water leakage is not adequately prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair device structureVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interior seal is made of flexible foam or rubber material that can conform to the irregular shapes of conduit failures (ruptures, tears, punctures). This flexible seal creates an effective water-blocking barrier without requiring complex rigid structures, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable leak prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 repair device minimizes water loss, simplifies the repair process, enhances conduit integrity, reduces downtime, and prevents future failures by creating a stronger seal and more durable repair.

Implementation Method 1

The user places the contact side of the repair device against the irrigation conduit. The seal encompasses the location of the failure. The user positions the repair device around the rupture such that the seal encompasses the rupture when the repair device is secured to the irrigation conduit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10451208B1Method and device for repairing an irrigation system

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 DELTA PLASTICS OF THE SOUTH

AI summary

The repair device secures to an irrigation conduit to seal any failures of the irrigation conduit. A patch body of the present invention is constructed from a plastic film, such as 15 mil polypropylene. The user installs a contact side of the patch body adjacent the irrigation conduit. A seal on the contact side of the repair device is located along the edges of the repair body. The seal encompasses the rupture. Fasteners located on the fastening edges of the patch body secure the repair body around the rupture. The seal and patch body compress the irrigation conduit to seal the failure in the conduit.