Pipe Relining Light Head With Direct Fluid Cooling for Bent Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe relining technologies face challenges such as elongated structures getting stuck in pipes, inefficiency in cooling LEDs, and overheating due to inadequate heat transfer, making them unsuitable for bent pipes and increasing manufacturing costs with metal bodies.
Innovation Solution
A light head design featuring a plastic body with a longitudinal passage and lateral channels that direct fluid flow to create a gap between the LED-plate and the body, allowing direct cooling of LEDs, enabling the use in smaller and more complex pipe structures without overheating, and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an elongated structure with multiple light heads connected in series is used, then the curing coverage is increased, but the apparatus tends to get stuck in pipes and becomes unsuitable for bent pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate modular light heads that can be used individually or in combinations. Each light head has a compact size that allows easy passage through pipes of various geometries including bent pipes, while multiple units can be connected via coupling mechanisms to achieve extended curing coverage when needed.
2Temperature
If metal elements are used for heat acceptance from LEDs, then heat transfer is improved, but the apparatus overheats due to inefficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid cooling system is implemented where a coolant fluid flows through channels in the heat acceptance elements, providing efficient heat removal from the LEDs. This pneumatic/hydraulic cooling approach prevents overheating while maintaining reliable operation, replacing inadequate conductive heat transfer with active fluid-based thermal management.
3Temperature
If a metal body is used for the light head, then thermal conductivity is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light head employs composite construction combining plastic housing with integrated heat acceptance elements made of thermally conductive materials. This composite approach allows the main body to be manufactured from inexpensive, easy-to-process plastic while incorporating metal or other high thermal conductivity materials only where needed for heat management, optimizing both manufacturability and thermal performance.
4Device complexity
If the LED-plate is placed directly on the body, then structural simplicity is improved, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED-plate is positioned above the body with cooling fluid flowing through channels in the body and directly against the LED-plate's cooling surface. This fluid-based cooling arrangement efficiently removes heat from the LEDs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, achieving superior cooling performance without requiring complex mechanical cooling systems.
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 design allows for effective curing of resin in pipes with complex geometries, prevents overheating, and lowers production costs by using plastic materials, making the light head suitable for smaller and more intricate structures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitting diode in order to emit light from the light head towards the pipe
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the liner to cure the resin in the liner
Implementation Method 3
fluid from the fluid inlet passes through the at least one lateral channel of the body such that the fluid hits the second surface of the LED-plate
Implementation Method 4
in use the liner is inflated by a supply of pressurized air that enters one end of, and passes through, the apparatus before the air is expelled through the opposing end of the apparatus. The expelled air inflates the liner before being returned to the atmosphere externally of the apparatus. As the pressurized air passes through the apparatus interior it also cools metallic elements that accept heat from the outer LEDs.
Data Source
AI summary
A light head for use in relining a pipe, the light head may include a proximal end cap, a distal end cap, at least one body, at least one LED-plate, and at least one spacer. The proximal end cap may include a fluid inlet. The body may be arranged between the proximal end cap and the distal end cap. The body may include a longitudinal passage extending from the proximal end cap to the center of the body. At least one lateral channel may extend from the longitudinal passage to an outlet. The LED-plate may include at least one light emitting diode. The spacer may be disposed between the LED-plate and the body. The longitudinal passage may be configured to receive fluid from the inlet such that the fluid hits the LED-plate.