Jacking Pipe Elastic Cover for Axial Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline sections with connected jacking pipes are rigidly connected, lacking the ability for movement or compensation due to metal jackets being replaced by rigid sheet steel sealing elements, which prevents flexibility and adaptation to axial or angular displacements.
Innovation Solution
The use of a circumferential elastic cover element made of plastic or metal, specifically stainless steel, is introduced to connect the end sections of intermediate jackets, allowing for compensating movements along or transverse to the longitudinal axis, with a design that enables displacement angles of ±5°, ±3°, or ±1° and/or longitudinal or transverse shifts of at least 20 mm, 10 mm, 5 mm, or 1 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid sheet steel sealing elements are used to connect adjacent jacking pipes, then the connection strength and structural stability are improved, but the flexibility and ability to compensate for movement or displacement are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid sheet steel sealing elements with an elastic cover element that has flexibility while maintaining sealing functionality. This elastic cover element can deform to accommodate relative movements between adjacent jacking pipes while still providing the necessary connection and sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid sheet steel to elastic material for the cover element. This parameter change allows the covering element to maintain structural integrity while enabling compensatory movements, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and adaptability to displacement.
2Reliability
If jacking pipes are rigidly connected with welded sealing elements, then the structural stability and corrosion protection are improved, but the ability to adjust or move relative to each other is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cover element provides both corrosion protection through its sealing function and adjustability through its flexibility. The elastic material allows the cover to deform and accommodate relative movements between pipes while maintaining the sealing barrier against corrosion, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (the elastic cover) that can adapt its shape and position in response to relative movements between pipes. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to maintain both corrosion protection and adjustability, as the cover can dynamically adjust to pipe movements while continuing to provide sealing.
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 solution provides flexibility to the pipeline section, allowing adjacent jacking pipes to move relative to each other, thereby enabling compensation for axial or angular displacements and maintaining operational pressure, enhancing the pipeline's adaptability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer seal, wherein each jacking pipe has a steel-reinforced outer shell, a steel-reinforced inner shell and an intermediate shell arranged between and connected to the inner and outer shells
Implementation Method 2
exposed end sections of the intermediate casings of the jacking pipes in the inner gap area are tightly connected to one another by a circumferential elastic cover element. Due to the elasticity of the cover element, adjacent jacking pipes are given the possibility of compensatory movement along and/or transversely and/or at an angle to their longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Pipeline section with at least two connected jacking pipes, wherein a first jacking pipe has a socket end with a steel guide ring and a second jacking pipe has a spigot end with an elastomer seal received in the socket end, wherein each jacking pipe has a steel-reinforced outer shell, a steel-reinforced inner shell and an intermediate shell arranged between and connected to the inner shell and outer shell, wherein the inner shell extends over a shorter axial length than the intermediate shell, and in a connection area between the jacking pipes an inner gap area is formed between the inner shells, characterized in that end sections of the intermediate shells of the jacking pipes exposed in the inner gap area are tightly connected to each other by a circumferential elastic cover element.