Mesh Stent Pipe Repair for Collapsed Sections and Relining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe repair methods face issues with overlapping replacement pipes that interfere with relining and reduce hydrodynamic conductivity, and require prefabricated support plates for specific diameters, making them impractical for partial repairs.
Innovation Solution
A pipe repair method using a mesh stent fitted around an actuation assembly with arms that expand to restore a partially collapsed pipe to a non-collapsed form, minimizing excavation and allowing for uniform expansion without overlapping edges, thus facilitating relining and maintaining hydraulic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil shaped replacement pipe is used to repair partially collapsed pipes, then the pipe can be straightened and repaired, but the overlapping section reduces hydrodynamic conductivity and interferes with relining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible mesh stent instead of a rigid coil-shaped replacement pipe. The mesh stent can be expanded to fit the pipe interior and provides structural support without creating overlapping sections that would interfere with relining or reduce hydrodynamic conductivity. The mesh structure allows fluid flow through it while maintaining pipe integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh stent is designed to replicate the functional support properties of traditional replacement pipes without copying their harmful overlapping structure. It provides the necessary structural reinforcement to hold the pipe in a non-collapsed form while avoiding the geometric deficiencies of coil-shaped alternatives.
2Ease of operation
If prefabricated support plates are used for pipe repair, then the pipe can be repaired with minimal excavation, but the support plates must be manufactured for specific diameters requiring large stock or longer wait-time
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh stent is designed with dynamic expandability, allowing it to be compressed to a small size for insertion and then expanded to the required diameter at the repair site. This eliminates the need for prefabrication in multiple specific diameters while maintaining the minimal excavation advantage. The stent can be expanded to match the actual pipe diameter regardless of variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh stent serves as a universal repair solution that can be adapted to different pipe diameters through expansion, eliminating the need for multiple specialized prefabricated support plates. A single stent design can repair pipes of varying sizes, reducing inventory requirements and manufacturing wait-time.
3Strength
If a coil shaped replacement pipe is fully expanded, then it can provide structural support, but the overlapping portion reduces hydrodynamic conductivity and increases resistance to liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh stent uses a mesh structure that provides structural support through its geometric configuration rather than through overlapping rigid sections. The mesh openings allow liquid flow to pass through with minimal resistance while the expanded mesh structure provides the necessary strength to hold the pipe in a non-collapsed form.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh stent functions as a porous structure that provides structural reinforcement while maintaining fluid conductivity. The pores in the mesh allow liquid flow with reduced resistance compared to solid overlapping sections, achieving both structural support and hydrodynamic efficiency.
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 method enables quick, minimally disruptive pipe repairs with reduced resistance to liquid flow and lower risk of relining damage, allowing for effective restoration and maintenance of pipe integrity without the need for prefabricated support plates.
Implementation Method 1
causing actuation, of at least one of the arms in the plurality of arms, between a retracted configuration in which the at least one arm exerts substantially no force against an interior surface of the pipe, and an extended configuration in which the at least one arm extends outwards to exert a force against the mesh stent and the interior surface of the pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for repairing a partially collapsed pipe. The method comprises fitting a mesh stent (320) around the outside of an actuation assembly of a pipe repair apparatus (400), and positioning the pipe repair apparatus (400) within a portion of the pipe (500), at least a part of the portion of the pipe being partially collapsed. The method also comprises causing actuation between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration such that the partially collapsed part of the pipe changes from a partially collapsed form towards a non-collapsed form. The method also comprises removing the pipe repair apparatus (400) from the pipe and leaving the mesh stent (320) in the portion of the pipe (500).