Pipe Connection Adapter Sealing for Multi-Layer Liner Bores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection systems fail to reliably seal multi-layer pipes, allowing medium to migrate between the pipe and the liner, especially during the drilling and connection process, due to exposed interfaces between the pipe layers.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connection system featuring a pipe connection piece with a flange collar that matches the penetration curve of the bore hole, an anti-twist device for precise alignment, and a flexible seal that is secured using a two-component spraying process, ensuring a tight seal against medium migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drill hole sealing sleeve is placed to seal the borehole in multi-layer pipes, then the tightness is improved, but the seal cannot prevent medium migration between pipe layers due to exposed interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two separate sealing elements: a first sealing element that seals the borehole opening, and a second sealing element that seals the interface between pipe layers. This segmentation allows each sealing element to address specific sealing needs independently, preventing medium migration that a single seal cannot prevent.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe connection piece acts as an intermediary component between the pipe clamp and the connecting pipe. It includes integrated sealing elements that mediate the sealing function at critical interfaces, particularly preventing medium from entering the borehole and migrating between layers through properly positioned sealing elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tapping fittings are used for simple single-layer pipes, then the connection is achieved, but the solution is not applicable to multi-layer pipes with protective layers
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connection system is designed with multi-functional components that can adapt to different pipe types. The pipe connection piece includes multiple sealing elements and can be configured with different drilling guides and sealing arrangements to work with both single-layer and multi-layer pipes, making the system universally applicable while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
3Ease of operation
If the borehole is drilled through multi-layer pipe walls, then connection access is obtained, but interfaces between layers are exposed allowing medium infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are pre-positioned in the pipe connection piece before the connection is made. The first sealing element is positioned to seal the borehole opening, and the second sealing element is positioned to seal the interface between pipe layers. This preliminary positioning ensures that sealing action occurs before medium can infiltrate or migrate, preventing harmful effects from the outset.
4Reliability
If heating methods are used to seal the borehole wall, then plastic melting seals the gap, but the method is limited to thermoplastic materials and requires specific conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces thermal sealing methods with mechanical sealing elements. Instead of relying on heat to melt and seal thermoplastic materials, the system uses mechanically pre-formed sealing elements that can seal various pipe materials including thermosetting plastics, cement layers, and metal pipes. This mechanical approach substitutes the thermal process and greatly expands material compatibility.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
In order to produce pipe connections on pipelines (10), such as drinking water main lines which are repaired using liners (12), a pipe clamp (20) is fitted and is secured with a clamping strip (22) for example after producing a bore (21). A pipe connection adapter (14) with a flange collar (15) and a seal (34) arranged thereon is inserted from the interior of the pipeline (10). By means of an anti-rotation device (29) between the pipe clamp (20) and the pipe connection adapter (14), the pipe connection adapter assumes a defined position such that the flange collar (15), which is shaped in a manner corresponding to the penetration curve of the pipeline/bore, seals in an exact manner against the bore edge (21) on the liner (12). The invention also proposes inserting the connection from the exterior of the pipeline (10). For this purpose, the pipeline-side end region (41) of the pipe connection adapter (14) is flexible and can either be pushed together onto the bore diameter via slide surfaces (48) or can be produced or provided with a diameter-reducing end region (41) and is then expanded to the seal position by means of an inner sleeve. In each case, the end region (41) is surrounded by an elastomer soft-elastic casing (38) which is preferably produced in a two-component injection molding method in a bonded manner with the main part (40) of the pipe connection adapter (14).