Pipeline Lining Curing Head With Insulating Fluid LED Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipeline renovation methods using radiation-curable resins face challenges with temperature control and cooling, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from excessive heat, especially in thicker pipes, and require complex cooling systems and metallic components.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained fluid-cooled apparatus with high-performance light-emitting diodes embedded in insulating substrates within a transparent, temperature-resistant head part filled with a flame-retardant insulating fluid, eliminating the need for metallic heat sinks and cooling fluid lines, and allowing for temperature-controlled speed and uniform irradiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-power light sources are used to cure thick resin layers, then curing effectiveness is improved, but excessive heat generation occurs that can damage the pipeline lining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring effectivenessVSAvoidexcessive heat

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a multi-layer structure with a reflective layer and insulating layers as intermediaries between the light source and the resin. The reflective layer directs light efficiently onto the resin while the insulating layers manage heat distribution, preventing excessive heat concentration that would damage the lining while maintaining effective curing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the curing system by using a multi-layer structure with different material properties (reflectivity, insulation, thermal conductivity). This allows optimization of light transmission and heat management parameters simultaneously, enabling effective curing without excessive heat generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If conventional cooling systems with metallic components and fluid lines are used, then heat management is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to corrosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat managementVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical cooling system (metallic heat sinks, pumps, fluid lines) with a passive thermal management approach using insulating and reflective layers. This eliminates complex mechanical components and fluid circulation systems while effectively managing heat through material properties alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex metallic cooling system components (pumps, fluid lines, metallic heat sinks) from the apparatus, retaining only the essential insulating and reflective layers that provide thermal management through their material properties rather than active mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If UV lamps are used for curing, then curing capability is achieved, but electrical insulation and corrosion resistance are compromised due to metallic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring capabilityVSAvoidelectrical insulation and corrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite multi-layer structure combining insulating materials, reflective materials, and transparent materials. This composite structure provides both the necessary UV transmission for curing capability and superior electrical insulation and corrosion resistance, eliminating the need for metallic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This solution provides efficient and uniform curing of the resin, enhanced electrical insulation, resistance to vibrations and corrosion, extended service life, and improved cooling, enabling higher power usage without overheating, and simplifies the system by eliminating air or water supply lines.

Implementation Method 1

a reactive resin which adjusts to the wavelength of the radiation source and cures by means of a movable high-energy radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the whole apparatus or at least its head part 1 is filled with a transparent, flame-retardant insulating fluid 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

efficient and uniform curing of the resin, enhanced electrical insulation, resistance to vibrations and corrosion, extended service life, and improved cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (thermal): Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11655928B2Device for rehabilitating a pipeline by means of a plastic lining

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 KRASOWSKI BERND JAN

AI summary

In an apparatus for pipeline renovation using a lining fiber tube impregnated with a reactive resin that cures under the effect of light-emitting devices, the apparatus has a head part 1 made of a transparent, temperature-resistant material, and end caps 2, 3 seal the apparatus hermetically against the outside, wherein the whole apparatus or at least its head part 1 is filled with a transparent, flame-retardant insulating fluid 5 and the apparatus contains an insert whose insulating substrates 8 are populated with high-performance light-emitting diodes 9.