On-Site Pipe Forming With Adjustable Former and Mold Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming industrial oil and gas pipelines are inefficient due to the limited length of pipe sections that can be transported and assembled at installation sites, typically resulting in 60-meter pipeline sections.
Innovation Solution
A pipe forming apparatus that includes a former for winding material, a mold for receiving the former with wound material, and an applicator for applying curable liquid within the mold, allowing for on-site formation of longer pipeline sections up to 800 meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pipes are manufactured in factories and transported in ISO containers, then transport logistics are simplified, but the pipeline construction efficiency is greatly hampered due to limited section length
Solution Approach 1:
The former is designed with adjustable cross-sectional area that can be dynamically changed between two states: a first cross-sectional area when the mold is in the open position to receive the former, and a second, smaller cross-sectional area when the mold is in the closed position. This dynamic adjustment allows the former to fit within the mold cavity for curing while maintaining sufficient structural support during the forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe forming process is divided into distinct stages: winding material on the former in an open mold position, closing the mold, applying curable liquid, curing, and then reopening the mold. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently and enables continuous production of longer pipe sections.
2Strength
If the former maintains a large cross-sectional area for structural support, then pipe strength is ensured, but the former cannot be received within the mold cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The former is designed with adjustable cross-sectional area that can be dynamically changed between two states: a first cross-sectional area when the mold is in the open position to receive the former, and a second, smaller cross-sectional area when the mold is in the closed position. This dynamic adjustment allows the former to fit within the mold cavity for curing while maintaining sufficient structural support during the forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
The material is wound on the former before the mold is closed, and the curable liquid is applied after the mold is closed but before curing begins. This preliminary arrangement of operations ensures that the former has adequate support during material winding while minimizing its volume during the critical curing phase when it must fit within the mold cavity.
3Productivity
If pipe sections are made longer to increase efficiency, then fewer sections need to be assembled, but the transport and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The former's adjustable cross-sectional area enables the system to handle longer pipe sections efficiently. By reducing the former's cross-section during molding, the apparatus can produce longer continuous pipe sections without increasing overall transport complexity, as the former itself becomes more compact during the critical molding phase.
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 apparatus significantly increases efficiency by enabling the formation of 800-meter pipeline sections compared to the traditional 60 meters, facilitating more rapid and cost-effective pipeline construction.
Implementation Method 1
applying curable liquid within the mold
Implementation Method 2
The material may include an adhesive on its underside
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, there is provided a pipe forming apparatus for forming a pipe at an installation site. The apparatus includes a former upon which material is wound, and a mold for receiving the former bearing the wound material. An applicator is provided for applying curable liquid within the mold. Advantageously, the pipe is formed at site to provide for efficient formation of a pipeline. A transported ISO container providing the material and curable liquid to the site can produce 800 metres of pipeline section, compared with 60 metres in the prior art, representing a significant increase in efficiency.