Pipe-in-Pipe Outer Bore Sealing With Plate, Stem, and Seal Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline systems face challenges in sealing the outer pipeline bore around an inner pipeline to prevent contamination and ensure integrity, particularly in pipe-in-pipe rehabilitation scenarios where the inner pipeline is disposed within the outer pipeline.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an outer pipeline sealing mechanism with a sealing plate, sealing stem, and seal ring to secure the inner pipeline bore from the outer pipeline bore, and a method involving the use of hardening material to form a sealing mechanism that transitions from a fluid to a solid state to seal the outer pipeline bore from external conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is installed to seal the outer pipeline bore from the inner pipeline bore, then the integrity and protection of the inner pipeline is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a sealing plate that seals the outer pipeline bore, a sealing stem that seals the interface between inner and outer pipelines, and a seal ring that provides the actual sealing contact. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific sealing function independently, ensuring reliable protection of the inner pipeline while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism employs a nested structure where the sealing stem is positioned within the sealing plate, and the seal ring is mounted on the sealing stem. This nested arrangement allows multiple sealing functions to be integrated in a compact configuration, protecting the inner pipeline integrity without requiring a overly complex distributed system of separate sealing components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hardening material is used to form a sealing mechanism, then the sealing effectiveness against external environmental conditions is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hardening material is applied in a fluid state that allows it to flow and conform to the irregular surfaces of the outer pipeline bore and inner pipeline exterior. After application, the material transitions to a solid state, changing its physical parameters from fluid to rigid. This parameter change enables the material to achieve effective sealing against external environmental conditions without requiring high manufacturing precision during application, as the fluid state naturally adapts to the geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism utilizes hardening material that combines properties of both fluid and solid states. In fluid state, it exhibits flow characteristics that enable easy application and conformal engagement with surfaces. In solid state, it provides structural integrity and resistance to external environmental conditions. This composite behavior of the material allows effective sealing while reducing precision requirements for application
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing plate and seal ring are secured to the outer pipe fitting, then the sealing of the outer pipeline bore is improved, but the ease of installation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plate and seal ring are integrated into a single assembly that is pre-configured before installation. The sealing stem connects the sealing plate to the seal ring, creating a unified component that seals both the outer pipeline bore and the inner-outer pipeline interface simultaneously. This merging of multiple sealing functions into one integrated assembly improves sealing effectiveness while simplifying installation by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled and installed
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 solution effectively seals the outer pipeline bore from external environmental conditions and ensures the integrity of the inner pipeline, facilitating fluid connection and monitoring, while meeting regulatory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
transitioning the hardening material from the fluid state to a solid state to form an outer pipeline sealing mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for implementing and/or operating a system that includes an outer pipeline, an inner pipeline, and an outer pipeline sealing mechanism. The outer pipeline includes an outer pipe fitting to be secured to an end of an outer pipe segment. The inner pipeline includes an inner pipe fitting to be secured to another end of an inner pipe segment. The outer pipeline sealing mechanism includes a sealing plate to be secured to the outer pipe fitting; a sealing stem that extends out axially from the sealing plate, in which the sealing stem is to be secured to the inner pipe fitting to facilitate sealing an inner pipeline bore from an outer pipeline bore; and a seal ring to be compressed between the sealing plate and the outer pipe fitting to facilitate sealing the outer pipeline bore of the outer pipeline from external environmental conditions.