Pipeline Junction Relining Assembly With Integrated Light Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline relining technologies face challenges in ensuring a tight fit at pipeline junctions, safety risks from UV radiation, complex cable management, and inefficiencies in cooling and adhesive application, particularly when relining branch pipelines in conjunction with main pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A seal installation device with a curable seal and integrated light curing device that uses a flexible bladder for precise placement and curing, minimizing cable usage, and employing a single light source for all pipeline sections, including a gelling station for preparing the seal's adhesive layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate hat-shaped seal is installed at the junction between main pipe and branch pipe, then the risk of leakage is reduced, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal installation and light curing functions into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the inflatable bladder for seal installation and the light sources for curing the liner and seal, eliminating the need for separate hat-shaped seal installation and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: it installs the seal at the junction, cures the liner in the main pipeline, and cures the seal itself. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate hat-shaped seal devices and multiple light curing operations, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable sealing
2Manufacturing precision
If UV light sources are used for curing the liner, then curing effectiveness is improved, but safety risks from UV radiation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from UV to visible blue light (405-480 nm). This parameter change maintains the photopolymerization curing effectiveness while eliminating the harmful UV radiation, thus improving safety without compromising manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful UV radiation into beneficial visible blue light that achieves the same curing function without the harmful effects. The visible light at 405-480 nm wavelength range provides sufficient energy for photopolymerization while being safe for operators
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to cure both main pipeline and branch pipeline, then curing coverage is improved, but device complexity and cable management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single light curing device with multiple light sources arranged to cure both the main pipeline liner and the branch pipeline liner sequentially. This single device approach simplifies cable management compared to using multiple separate light curing devices, while maintaining comprehensive curing coverage through strategic light source placement
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are arranged to be dynamically positioned or directed to cure different sections. The device can orient light sources toward the main pipeline or branch pipeline as needed, providing versatile curing coverage without requiring multiple fixed light curing devices and their associated cable management
4Productivity
If the liner is inserted into the main pipeline, then the main pipeline is relined, but access to the branch pipe is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by installing the seal at the junction and curing the branch pipeline liner before fully inserting and curing the main pipeline liner. This sequence ensures branch pipe access is established before the main pipeline liner blocks it, allowing subsequent branch pipeline relining operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the relining process into distinct phases: first installing the seal at the junction, then curing the branch pipeline liner through the seal, and finally curing the main pipeline liner. This segmentation allows branch pipe access to be maintained during critical operations while still achieving complete relining of both pipelines
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
Ensures a tight, leak-proof seal at pipeline junctions, reduces safety risks, simplifies cable management, and enhances the efficiency of the relining process by using a single light source and optimized adhesive application.
Implementation Method 1
UV light, visual light or hot water/steam is typically used to perform the subsequent curing of the liner in order to form a rigid and fluid tight composite wall structure on the inner surface of the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
The seal is put in the correct place by an inflatable bladder
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for relining a junction between a branch pipeline and a main pipeline comprises a seal installation device capable of moving within the main pipeline to the junction. The seal installation device includes a curable seal for being placed and pressed onto the junction and optionally for extending into the branch pipeline. The assembly further comprises a light curing device for being introduced into the seal installation device within the main pipeline and the branch pipeline for curing the seal.