Polymer-Lined Pipe Sleeve Retainer for Liner Expansion and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymer-lined irrigation pipes face challenges in retaining the polymer lining due to expansion and contraction under varying temperatures and humidity, and maintaining a smooth terminal-end surface for leak-resistant seals, especially during transportation and connection.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve retainer is inserted into the polymer-lined pipe to retain the polymer sleeve, protect it, and form a seal with another polymer-lined pipe, featuring a tubular body with protuberances such as barbs or O-rings that frictionally engage the interior surface and a flange to nest with the pipe flange, ensuring a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymer liner is installed in pipe to prevent corrosion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but polymer liner may expand and contract under varying temperatures and humidity causing retention issues
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the retention mechanism into multiple engagement points along the polymer liner, with retainers positioned at intervals to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining secure retention at each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer design incorporates flexible elements and tolerance ranges that allow the retention mechanism to adapt to dimensional changes in the polymer liner caused by temperature and humidity variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If polymer-lined pipes are transported on flatbed trailers, then transportation capability is improved, but terminal-end surfaces may become damaged reducing sealing ability
Solution Approach 1:
Protective sleeves are installed on the terminal ends of polymer-lined pipes before transportation to prevent damage to the sealing surfaces, and these sleeves are removed only when the pipes are ready for connection
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeves act as a cushioning barrier that absorbs potential impacts and prevents direct contact between the vulnerable terminal-end surfaces and external objects during handling and transportation
3Reliability
If sleeve retainer with protuberances is used to retain polymer sleeve, then retention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve retainer utilizes the flexibility of the polymer sleeve itself as a retaining mechanism, where the sleeve's inherent elastic properties provide frictional engagement with the retainer structure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fastening systems
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer sleeve's own material properties (elasticity, friction coefficient) are harnessed to achieve self-retention, where the sleeve naturally grips the retainer structure without requiring additional active retention mechanisms
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 sleeve retainer effectively retains the polymer sleeve, protects it from damage, and maintains a tight seal between connected pipes, enhancing the durability and efficiency of polymer-lined irrigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a tubular body with protuberances such as barbs or O-rings that frictionally engage the interior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer-lined fluid transmission line includes various structures, including a first polymer-lined pipe, a second polymer-lined pipe, and one or more sleeve retainers installed at a pipe junction between the polymer-lined pipes. Among other things, the sleeve retainers may include one or more protuberances to frictionally engage the polymer-lined pipes or a one or more portions that protrude into a space between the polymer-lined pipes to help retain and protect polymer sleeves.