Reinforced Pipe Liner Seam for UV-Cured Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe liners formed from flexible sheets with longitudinal seams, such as those with glass-reinforced felt, suffer from discontinuous reinforcement at the seam, leading to weakness and difficulty in installation, particularly when cured with UV light, due to issues like partial separation and increased thickness.
Innovation Solution
A pipe liner comprising a fabric sleeve with a ribbon of fibrous material joined along the longitudinal seam to reinforce it, using a butt-stitched method that maintains continuous glass fiber reinforcement without significant thickness increase, suitable for UV curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to join the longitudinal seam of the pipe liner, then the seam strength is improved, but the glass fibre reinforcement becomes discontinuous and the pipe liner becomes difficult to turn inside out during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal seam construction is segmented into three distinct components: first edge portion, second edge portion, and intermediate portion. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized properties - the edge portions provide structural strength while the intermediate portion maintains flexibility for turning during installation, resolving the contradiction between seam strength and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the longitudinal seam are given different qualities - the edge portions are designed with higher strength characteristics to provide seam integrity, while the intermediate portion is designed with greater flexibility to facilitate turning the pipe liner inside out during installation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
2Strength
If overlapping is used to form the longitudinal seam, then the seam strength is improved, but the thickness increases significantly which prevents effective UV curing
Solution Approach 1:
The seam structure is divided into edge portions and an intermediate portion that are joined in a stepped or tapered configuration rather than simple overlapping. This segmentation allows the seam to maintain strength through the joined regions while controlling the overall thickness increase, ensuring UV light can effectively cure the resin throughout the pipe liner including the seam areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness in the radial dimension through overlapping, the invention uses a stepped or tapered arrangement that distributes the material in a more controlled three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional approach maintains seam strength while limiting excessive thickness buildup that would block UV curing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stitching is used to join the longitudinal seam, then the glass fibre reinforcement remains continuous, but the seam strength is reduced due to partial separation
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal seam utilizes a composite construction combining multiple materials and structures - the fabric sleeve material, adhesive resin, and the three-part seam structure (first edge portion, second edge portion, intermediate portion). This composite approach maintains glass fibre continuity through the seam while the multi-component structure provides enhanced seam strength, resolving the contradiction between continuity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The seam structure is designed with pre-formed edge portions and intermediate portions that are joined together before the pipe liner is installed and turned inside out. This preliminary construction ensures proper alignment and bonding, preventing partial separation during installation while maintaining glass fibre continuity, thus resolving the strength-continuity contradiction.
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 reinforced seam provides improved tensile and flexural strength, allowing easier installation and uniform thickness for effective UV curing, enhancing the integrity and durability of the pipe lining.
Implementation Method 1
Curing the resin by irradiation with UV light may involve moving one of more UV sources through the pipe to initiate the curing process progressively along the flexible sleeve
Implementation Method 2
a pressurised fluid may be used to force the outer surface of the pipe liner into contact with the inner surface of the pipe to be repaired, for example by expanding a rubber bladder arranged within the pipe liner with pressurised air
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe liner for lining the inside of a pipe, for example a water or sewerage pipe requiring repair. The pipe liner is mainly formed of a fabric sleeve, or a plurality of fabric sleeves, and comprises a ribbon or strip of fibrous material along a longitudinal seam which reinforces the longitudinal seam. The pipe liners may be suitable for use in repairing damaged or degraded pipes and may provide an improvement in the tensile and/or flexural strength of the longitudinal seam compared to a similar pipe liner with a simple butt-stitched longitudinal seam, whilst not suffering from the disadvantages of reinforced welded seam which can be difficult to turn inside out during installation. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing such a pipe liner, a pipe lining formed from such a pipe liner and a pipe comprising such a pipe lining.