Pipeline Repair Kit With Fiber Lining and Protective Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repairing damages in tubular elements, such as pipelines for methane gas or water, are not effective in the long term and are economically unsustainable, often requiring complete replacement of affected pipeline sections.

Innovation Solution

A kit and method that includes a filler material and a lining material with continuous fibers, along with a shell, to provide long-lasting consolidation and protection of the repair, without the need for specialized training or excessive costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If currently available repair means are used to occlude the lumen of damage, then the repair can be performed with simple materials, but the repair is vulnerable to displacement and degradation from external agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of repair materialsVSAvoidprotection against external agents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining filler material (for occluding the damage lumen) with lining material having continuous fibers (for structural reinforcement). This composite structure provides both the simplicity of filling and the protection against external agents, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The lining material with continuous fibers acts as a flexible reinforcement layer that conforms to the tubular element surface while providing tensile strength and protection against external agents. This flexible film approach maintains ease of application while significantly improving repair reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If filler material is used to occlude the damage lumen, then the immediate sealing is achieved, but the filler material is displaced or exposed to faster degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate sealing capabilityVSAvoiddurability of filler material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system where the filler material is combined with lining material having continuous fibers. The filler provides immediate sealing of the damage lumen, while the continuous fiber reinforcement protects the filler from displacement and degradation, extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The lining material with continuous fibers is applied to provide protective reinforcement before the filler material is exposed to external agents. This pre-established protective layer prevents premature degradation and displacement of the filler material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250187280A1A kit for repairing damages in tubular elements, particularly methane gas pipelines

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 COMPOSITE RES SRL

AI summary

There is described a kit for repairing damages in tubular elements, particularly methane gas pipelines, that includes: a filler material configured for application at a damage of a tubular element in order to occlude a lumen of said damage, a lining material configured for application onto an outer surface of said tubular element in order to cover said damage, and a shell configured for application onto at least part of said lining material at an external position to said lining material. Moreover, there is described a method for repairing damages in tubular elements by employing the kit.