Pipe Repair Stent Spring With Flexible Mesh Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piping systems face challenges in repairing pipe wall breaks, which often require shutting down the system, leading to inconvenience and high costs due to the need for extensive construction and excavation.
Innovation Solution
A stent spring system comprising a tubular mesh structure with expandable and compressible properties, featuring a seal and elastic wire for flexibility, allowing the stent to be configured for easy insertion and expansion within a pipe to create a watertight seal, and a tab mechanism for retention in a compressed configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipe repair methods are used, then pipe breaks can be repaired, but the piping system must be shut off and extensive construction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The repair system is divided into separate functional components: the stent spring structure for structural support, the seal element for leakage prevention, and the delivery mechanism for insertion. This segmentation allows the repair device to be inserted through existing pipe infrastructure without shutting down the entire system, enabling localized repair while maintaining system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent spring acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the damaged pipe wall and the seal element. It provides a stable platform for the seal to attach to and press against the pipe interior, enabling effective sealing without requiring direct access to or shutdown of the piping system.
2Reliability
If traditional pipe repair methods are used, then pipe breaks can be repaired, but extensive construction and excavation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The repair device is extracted from the traditional approach of external excavation and structural reinforcement. Instead, the stent spring with seal is inserted internally through the pipe, taking out the need for extensive construction and excavation while maintaining repair effectiveness through internal sealing and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent spring employs a flexible mesh structure that can be compressed into a compact form for insertion through small access points, then expanded within the pipe to provide structural support. This flexible shell approach eliminates the need for rigid external construction and excavation.
3Ease of operation
If the stent is kept in compressed configuration for insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but the stent cannot provide structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The stent spring is designed with dynamic transformation capability, transitioning from a compressed low-profile configuration during insertion to an expanded high-strength configuration after deployment. This dynamic state change allows the same structure to provide both ease of insertion and structural support at different stages of the repair process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent spring is nested within a delivery catheter or compression mechanism in its compressed state, allowing it to be inserted through the pipe. Once in position, it is released and expands outward, unfolding its structural support capability like a nested doll emerging from its container.
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
Enables efficient and minimally invasive pipe repair by allowing the stent to be easily inserted and expanded within the pipe, reducing downtime and construction costs while effectively sealing leaks.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic wire connected to the one or more strands, the elastic wire configured to increase a flexibility of the stent spring
Implementation Method 2
the stent spring is configurable in an expanded stent spring configuration and a compressed stent spring configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A stent spring for repairing a pipe includes a substantially tubular mesh structure comprising one or more strands, the one or more strands comprising a spring material, wherein the stent spring is expandable and compressible between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration; and an elastic wire connected to the one or more strands, the elastic wire configured to increase a flexibility of the stent spring.