Joining Sleeve With Expanding Collar for Lined Pipe Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding processes damage corrosion-resistant liners in pipeline sections due to high temperatures, and existing solutions fail to effectively protect these liners during the joining of internally lined pipe sections.
Innovation Solution
A joining sleeve with a collar that expands to provide thermal insulation and a physical barrier, preventing heat transfer and protecting the liners from the weld pool, is used to connect the internal liners of two internally lined pipe sections across a welded joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is performed to join pipeline sections, then the pipeline sections are connected, but the high temperature damages the corrosion-resistant liners
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: an inner sleeve that interfaces with the liner, an outer sleeve that interfaces with the pipe, and insulating material positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the inner sleeve protects the liner, the insulating material blocks heat, and the outer sleeve provides structural support during welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The device acts as an intermediary protective structure between the welding operation and the corrosion-resistant liner. By positioning the device with the inner sleeve against the liner and the outer sleeve against the pipe, it mediates the thermal interaction, allowing the weld to proceed while the device absorbs and redirects heat away from the vulnerable liner.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the liner is rebated from the pipe end to protect it from heat, then the liner is protected, but the connection between liners across the weld seam becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device serves as a intermediary connector that spans the gap between rebated liner ends. The inner sleeve extends into the rebated liner regions and provides a continuous protective surface across the weld seam, while the outer sleeve and insulating material provide thermal protection. This intermediary structure makes it easy to connect liners that would otherwise be difficult to join due to the rebates.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the liner from heat, connects the rebated liner ends, provides structural support during welding, and maintains the integrity of the corrosion-resistant barrier. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the connection process easier while maintaining heat protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If insulating material is added to the device to prevent heat transfer, then the liner protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating material is positioned locally at the critical interface between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, where heat transfer would directly affect the liner. This localized insulation approach provides effective heat protection without requiring insulation throughout the entire device structure, thereby maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines different materials with complementary properties: the inner sleeve material that interfaces with the liner, the outer sleeve material that interfaces with the pipe, and the insulating material with thermal barrier properties. This composite construction provides effective heat protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of material properties rather than complex geometric features.
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 solution effectively protects the internal liners from damage during welding by reducing heat transfer and containing the weld pool, ensuring the pipeline remains corrosion-resistant and functional.
Implementation Method 1
The collar having a first retracted condition in which it has a first outer diameter, and a second expanded condition in which it has a second outer diameter, larger than the first outer diameter
Implementation Method 2
preventing heat transfer and protecting the liners from the weld pool
Data Source
AI summary
A joining sleeve configured to connect internal liners of two internally lined pipe sections across a welded pipe section joint and a method of use is disclosed. The joining sleeve comprises a sleeve body having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to couple with opposing ends of first and second internal liners respectively. A collar is disposed around the outer surface of the sleeve body, the collar having a first retracted condition in which it has a first outer diameter, and a second expanded condition in which it has a second outer diameter, larger than the first outer diameter.