Branch Conduit Plug Sections for CIPP Lining and Flow Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe rehabilitation methods face challenges in effectively sealing branch conduits during the lining of main pipes with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners, particularly in preventing delamination and exfiltration under pressure, and in efficiently installing fittings to connect the liner to branch conduits.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plug with a removable section and a durable section, equipped with locating elements, is used to seal branch conduits during liner installation, allowing for later removal of the plug section to restore fluid communication and alignment of fitting installation tools, along with a robot and tool system for precise fitting installation and measurement of branch conduit dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional plug is used to seal the branch conduit during liner installation, then the branch conduit is sealed to prevent resin entry, but the plug must be completely removed later which complicates the restoration process and risks damaging the lined pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into two distinct sections: a removable section that can be easily extracted after liner installation, and a durable section that remains permanently installed in the branch conduit. This segmentation allows the restoration process to be simplified while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable section of the plug is designed to be discarded after serving its temporary purpose of sealing the branch conduit during liner installation. The durable section is recovered and retained in the system to provide ongoing functionality for fluid communication and locating operations.
2Ease of operation
If locating elements are mounted on the entire plug body, then the robot can locate the branch conduit, but all locating elements must be removed which increases complexity and risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
Locating elements are mounted exclusively on the durable section of the plug, separating the locating function from the temporary sealing function. This allows the robot to locate and access the branch conduit during liner installation without requiring removal of all locating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The durable section with mounted locating elements serves dual purposes: it remains in the system after plug removal to continue providing locating functionality for future operations, and it eliminates the need to remove locating elements during the restoration process.
3Reliability
If a threaded fitting is installed by a robot to connect liner to corporation stop, then fluid seal is achieved, but the installation process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is pre-assembled with the corporation stop before liner installation. This preliminary preparation allows the robot to simply install the pre-assembled unit rather than performing complex threading operations during the liner installation process, significantly improving installation speed while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting installation process is merged with the corporation stop preparation by pre-assembling these components together. This combination reduces the number of separate operations required and simplifies the robot's task during liner installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.