Modular Pipeline Insulation With Ventilated Corrugated Shields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat insulation structures for nuclear reactor unit pipelines face challenges such as complexity in installation and repair, excessive material consumption, and inability to efficiently withdraw excess heat due to the use of fibrous materials and open air cavities, leading to safety and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A modular heat insulation system using separate welded blocks of stainless corrosion-resistant steel filled with heat-insulating material, interconnected with quick-acting tension locks and covered plates, featuring corrugated or blistered shields forming enclosed air cavities to reduce material usage and enhance heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fibrous heat insulating material is used in the structure, then heat insulation is provided, but material consumption increases and safety hazards arise from fibrous material ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of heat insulating material from fibrous loose fill to compact corrugated steel shields with enclosed air cavities. This parameter change eliminates fibrous material hazards while reducing overall material consumption through the reflective and insulating properties of the steel shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining stainless corrosion-resistant steel corrugated shields with air cavities to create a multi-functional heat insulating system. This composite approach provides both thermal insulation and structural integrity while eliminating the need for separate fibrous insulating materials.
2Loss of energy
If welded boxes with heat-insulating material are used, then heat insulation is provided, but installation and repair complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulation structure is divided into modular blocks that can be independently manufactured, transported, and installed. Each block contains pre-assembled corrugated steel shields and heat insulating material, allowing for simplified installation and repair operations compared to custom-welded boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces quick-acting tension locks that enable dynamic assembly and disassembly of modular blocks without welding or complex fastening operations. This dynamic connection system significantly simplifies installation and repair while maintaining structural integrity.
3Loss of energy
If open air cavities between shields are used, then heat insulation is provided, but excess heat cannot be withdrawn and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful open air cavity configuration and replaces it with enclosed air cavities within corrugated steel shields. This extraction eliminates the pathway for excessive heat accumulation while preserving the insulating benefit of air cavities through the enclosed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of air cavities (which can trap excessive heat) into a benefit by enclosing them within corrugated steel shields. The enclosed configuration maintains the insulating advantage of air cavities while preventing heat accumulation, thus converting a hazardous feature into a safe and effective insulating element.
4Ease of operation
If one-piece heat insulation structure is used, then installation is simplified, but adaptability and repairability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat insulation into modular blocks that maintain installation simplicity through standardized interfaces while enabling adaptability and repairability. Each module can be independently replaced or adjusted, providing versatility that one-piece structures cannot offer.
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 reduces material demand, simplifies installation and repair, eliminates fibrous materials, and effectively manages heat energy by using stainless steel shields and ventilated gaps to minimize heat losses and ensure safety during operation.
Implementation Method 1
heat-insulating material being a set of minimum three corrugated or blistered shields. These shields shall be manufactured of stainless corrosion-resistant steel forming enclosed air cavities
Implementation Method 2
external lining sheets of the adjacent blocks shall be shorter than the blocks themselves by the size of the cover plates and they shall be installed with a lateral ventilated gap from the external surface of the shield set
Data Source
AI summary
Modular heat insulation, manufactured as separate welded blocks of stainless corrosion-resistant steel, arranged on the pipeline outer surface. The boxes are filled with heat-insulating material and interconnected with quick-acting tension locks. The cover plates shield the block joints. A heat-insulating material being a set of minimum three corrugated or blistered shields is used. These shields are manufactured of stainless corrosion-resistant steel forming enclosed air cavities. The external lining sheets of the adjacent blocks are shorter than the blocks themselves by the size of the cover plates and are installed with a lateral ventilated gap from the external surface of the shield set. The cover plates shall have the shape of mated sections with a multilayer set of corrugated stainless corrosion-resistant steel sheets. The mated sections are quick-acting tension locks, and their cover plates have width overlapping the area of blocks' increased temperature within their joints.