Pipe Repair Stent Friction Strips for Secure Internal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe repair stents face challenges in maintaining a secure seal and structural integrity, especially under high flow conditions, leading to potential dislodgment and re-exposure of cracks in damaged pipes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe repair stent design featuring a gasket with textured outer and inner surfaces, reinforced with annular rings and friction elements like pipe engagement strips, which expand to securely engage the pipe wall, enhancing grip and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe repair stent is inserted into a damaged pipe to seal the crack, then the leaking is prevented, but fluid flow can creep in between the stent and pipe wall to weaken the seal or dislodge the stent
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are pre-installed on the outer stent surface before insertion, positioned to engage the pipe wall immediately upon expansion. This preliminary positioning prevents fluid from creeping in between the stent and pipe wall before the seal is fully established, addressing the dislodgment risk proactively
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements convert the harmful fluid flow force into a beneficial gripping mechanism. By engaging the pipe wall with high friction, the elements prevent fluid from creeping under the stent while the stent's expansion force maintains contact pressure, transforming the potential dislodgment hazard into enhanced seal reliability
2Reliability
If the stent is expanded to seal against the pipe wall, then the seal is improved, but the grip and retention on the pipe wall may be insufficient under high flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are constructed from high-friction materials combined with the stent structure, creating a composite system that provides both sealing pressure and enhanced gripping strength. This material combination allows the stent to maintain secure attachment under high flow conditions while preserving seal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements feature curved or rounded contact surfaces that conform to the pipe wall geometry, increasing the contact area and distributing the gripping force. This curvature enhances the mechanical interlocking between the stent and pipe wall, improving retention under hydraulic pressure
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 stent effectively maintains a secure seal and structural integrity, reducing the likelihood of dislodgment and ensuring long-term repair efficacy by increasing friction between the stent and the pipe wall.
Implementation Method 1
pressing the first friction element and the second friction element between the outer stent surface and the inner wall of the pipeline to increase friction between the pipe repair stent and the inner wall
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe repair stent includes a gasket defining a first gasket end, a second gasket end opposite the first gasket end, an outer gasket surface, and an inner gasket surface, the inner gasket surface defining a main passage, a stent axis extending centrally through the main passage, the outer gasket surface at least partially defining an outer stent surface of the pipe repair stent; a first pipe engagement strip coupled to and extending circumferentially along the outer stent surface proximate to the first gasket end; and a second pipe engagement strip coupled to and extending circumferentially along the outer stent surface proximate to the second gasket end; wherein each of the first and second pipe engagement strips extend radially outward beyond the outer stent surface and are configured to engage an inner wall of a pipe to improve a grip of the pipe repair stent on the inner wall.