Pipe Insertion via Flattening and Re-deformation in Narrow Boreholes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inserting pipes into underground boreholes face challenges with bending radii limitations and high production costs, particularly in narrow and deep pits, where pipes must be excavated at great expense or require frequent connections of short pipes, leading to leaks and complex re-deformation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving flattening the pipe before insertion to reduce its elastic modulus, redirecting it through a smaller curvature, and re-deforming it back to its original shape using a deformation device, which includes a guiding device and a re-deformation device, allowing for insertion through tighter radii without the need for extensive excavation or frequent connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional plastic pipes are used with predefined bending radii, then the pipes can be inserted into boreholes, but the maximally permitted bending radii are exceeded in narrow deep pits, making installation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by temporarily modifying the pipe's physical state from circular to flattened configuration. This changes the pipe's bending radius parameter from R to R/2, enabling it to navigate tight curves in narrow pits. After insertion, the pipe is re-deformed back to its original circular shape, restoring its structural integrity while having successfully passed through the constrained space.
2Productivity
If short pipes are used and frequently connected in pits, then the pipes can be inserted into boreholes, but the connection process is time-consuming and expensive with associated risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the deformation preparation outside the pit before insertion. The pipe is flattened and guided through the pit opening in advance, avoiding the need for repeated connection operations within the pit. This single-pass approach eliminates multiple jointing operations, thereby reducing both installation time and the cumulative risk of leaks at connection points.
3Strength
If extensive excavation is performed to create inclined installation pits, then the permissible stress of the pipe material is not exceeded, but the excavation costs are high and frequently not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by temporarily altering the pipe's cross-sectional geometry from circular to flattened. This temporary parameter change reduces the pipe's bending radius by half, allowing it to navigate sharp curves without requiring extensive excavation or inclined pits. The pipe maintains structural integrity because the deformation is controlled and reversible, eliminating the need for costly ground modification while preserving stress compliance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flexible fabric structures impregnated with resin are used, then the pipes can be inserted through tighter radii of curvature, but the production costs are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by temporarily deforming conventional rigid pipes into a flattened configuration, effectively creating a flexible state without using expensive flexible materials. This approach achieves the same curvature negotiation capability as flexible fabric structures but uses standard rigid pipes, thereby avoiding the considerable production costs associated with specialized flexible materials and their impregnation processes.
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
Enables cost-effective and efficient insertion of pipes into boreholes by reducing the need for extensive excavation and minimizing the risk of leaks, while simplifying the re-deformation process, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional materials and methods.
Implementation Method 1
flattening the pipe from an original cross-section before the pipe enters the pit, redirecting the flattened pipe in the pit in a direction of an axis of the borehole, and re-deforming the redirected pipe before the pipe enters the borehole
Implementation Method 2
re-deforming the redirected pipe before the pipe enters the borehole
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for inserting a pipe (4) via a pit (1) into an underground borehole, wherein the pipe is flattened before entering the pit, and wherein the pipe is redirected within the pit in the direction of the axis of the borehole, so as to re-deform the pipe before entering the borehole.