Pipe Repair Liner Folding for Variable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing pipe liners for underground piping systems are inefficient, as they require multiple fabric widths for different pipe diameters and involve complex folding processes, making it difficult to produce liners with varying diameters and thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize continuous reinforcing fibers and sheets of material with oriented fibers, where the sheets are cut into discrete lengths and folded into a closed shape to form liners with different diameters, allowing for the use of a single width reinforcing fabric to produce liners with various diameters by modifying the length of the sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fabric widths are used to manufacture liners for different pipe diameters, then liners can be produced for various pipe sizes, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and material storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single width fabric is used to manufacture liners for multiple pipe diameters by varying the folding configuration. The fabric width is designed to accommodate the largest pipe diameter, and smaller diameters are achieved through different folding patterns (e.g., single fold, double fold, triple fold), making the manufacturing system universal for all pipe sizes within the range.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric is divided into multiple plies or layers that can be folded in different configurations. By segmenting the fabric into foldable sections, the same fabric can be arranged to produce liners of different diameters, reducing the need for multiple fabric widths and simplifying inventory management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fabric widths are stocked for different pipe diameters, then liners for various pipe sizes can be manufactured, but material storage needs and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stocking multiple fabric widths, the system stocks a single universal fabric width that can be folded to accommodate all pipe diameters from 6 inches to 48 inches. This eliminates the need for multiple inventory SKUs and reduces storage space requirements while maintaining the ability to produce liners for any pipe size in the range.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional folding processes are used with multiple fabric layers, then liners can be formed, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The folding process is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The fabric can be folded in different configurations (single fold, double fold, triple fold) depending on the required liner diameter, allowing the same manufacturing setup to efficiently produce various sizes without retooling or complex procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a liner for reinforcing a pipe includes providing a continuous first reinforcing fibers extending in a first direction, moving the first reinforcing fibers in a machine direction such that the first direction is parallel to the machine direction, providing sheets of a material having second reinforcing fibers extending in a second direction, placing the sheets onto the moving first reinforcing fibers such that the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and folding the sheets into a closed shape.