Pipeline Liner Curing with Bladder-Pulled Light Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cured-in-place piping operations, delivering a light source to the starting point within long underground pipelines is challenging due to pipeline length limitations, where the light source may not reach its intended position for curing resin, especially when the starting point is inaccessible from the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flexible tubular liner, a flexible nontubular pull line, and a selectively actuatable light source, where the pull line is attached to the bladder and used to guide the light source through the pipeline, allowing the bladder to pull the light source and power line to the starting point, and the light source is secured using a ligature that breaks apart upon activation, enabling effective resin curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the pipeline length increases to accommodate long underground pipelines, then the light source cannot reach the starting point for resin curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bladder as an intermediary device that can be inflated within the liner to create a pulling mechanism. The bladder is attached to a pull line that extends to the starting point, allowing it to act as a mediator that transmits force through the liner to retrieve the light source from distant locations within long pipelines where direct delivery is impossible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static liner installation to a dynamic retrieval process. The bladder is inflated at different locations along the pipeline and used to dynamically pull the light source and power line back to the starting point, enabling the system to adapt to varying pipeline lengths and retrieve equipment from any position within the liner.
2Length of stationary object
If the pipeline length increases beyond accessible distances from ground surface, then the light source and power line cannot be delivered to the starting point
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder serves as a mobile intermediary that can be positioned at any location within the liner along the pipeline. By inflating the bladder and attaching it to the pull line, the system creates a movable force transmission mechanism that can retrieve the light source from any distance, effectively extending the delivery capability beyond direct ground surface accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval process is segmented into multiple stages where the bladder is inflated at different positions along the pipeline. The pull line is progressively retrieved in sections, with the bladder being repositioned and re-inflated as needed to pull equipment from increasingly distant locations, breaking down the long-distance retrieval into manageable segments.
3Reliability
If the light source is delivered to the starting point for resin curing, then complete resin saturation and stabilization can be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder serves multiple functions: it acts as a calibration tube during liner inversion, provides buoyancy to keep the liner expanded, and serves as a pulling mechanism to retrieve the light source and power line. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated retrieval equipment, managing system complexity while ensuring reliable resin curing through complete light source delivery.
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
Ensures the light source is delivered to the starting point within the pipeline, allowing for efficient curing of the resin, even in long pipelines, by utilizing the bladder to pull the light source and power line, ensuring complete resin saturation and stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
the bladder is inflatable within the extended liner
Data Source
AI summary
A system for repairing an underground pipeline using a light source. A resin soaked tubular liner is inverted within an underground liner. A tubular bladder is subsequently inflated within the tubular liner. A pull line is attached to a free end of the bladder. The light source is attached to the pull line. The bladder pulls with the pull line and light source into the liner as the bladder is inverted within the liner. The light source is subsequently activated and separated from the pull line. The light source is then pulled through the bladder and liner, curing the liner as it moves.