Pipe Repair Liner Lighting Assembly for Curing Lateral Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for repairing pipelines, particularly at junctions between main and lateral pipes, face challenges with resin curing times, productivity losses, and equipment costs, as well as inefficiencies with light-activated resins in curing long lengths and complex pipe geometries.
Innovation Solution
A repair apparatus comprising a liner assembly with light-activated resin, a bladder assembly made of light-permeable material, and a lighting assembly with a main and lateral light pack to efficiently cure the resin within the pipe system, allowing for precise positioning and curing of both main and lateral liner tubes without damaging the fragile lighting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light-activated resin is used with a single light source from the main pipe, then the curing process can be initiated, but the light cannot effectively cure resin in long lateral pipes or around bends due to insufficient light reach and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent light sources: a main light pack in the main pipe and multiple lateral light packs that can be positioned along the lateral pipe. This segmentation allows each light source to independently illuminate its local area, ensuring effective curing throughout the entire liner including long laterals and bent sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral light packs serve as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between the main pipe light source and the distant or hard-to-reach areas of the lateral pipe. These intermediate light sources ensure that light reaches all necessary areas of the liner for complete curing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high power light is used to initiate curing in the lateral pipe, then the resin can begin to cure, but the light cannot travel far enough into the lateral and cannot shine around bends or corners
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single high-power light source, the system uses multiple lower-power light sources distributed along the lateral pipe. Each light source effectively illuminates its local section, and collectively they cover the entire length including bends and corners, achieving the same overall curing effect without the limitations of a single distant light source.
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 enables efficient curing of resin within the pipe system, reducing the need for costly equipment and labor, and effectively addresses the challenges of curing long lengths and complex geometries, ensuring reliable and productive pipeline repairs.
Implementation Method 1
the liner tube is impregnated with a light-activated resin, then shining ultra violet (UV) light toward the liner to begin the curing process
Implementation Method 2
a bladder assembly having a main bladder tube and a lateral bladder tube. The bladder assembly is made from a light-permeable material which allows one or more wavelengths of light to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for repairing a pipeline. The apparatus includes a liner assembly made of resin absorbent material. The liner assembly is configured to be impregnated with a light-activated resin. The apparatus also includes a bladder assembly configured to expand to press the main liner member against the interior wall of the pipeline and a lighting assembly configured to provide light at the wavelength which initiates curing of the light-activated resin.