Pipeline Repair Shell and Lining for Durable Damage Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing tubular elements, such as methane gas pipelines, are ineffective in providing long-lasting consolidation and protection from external agents, often leading to displacement or degradation of filler materials and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A kit and method involving a filler material with specific viscosity and deformability, a lining material with continuous fibers, and a shell structure to provide structural continuity, adhesion, and protection against fluid leaks and mechanical stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filler material is used to occlude the lumen of damage, then the damage is sealed, but the filler material is vulnerable to displacement and degradation from external agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the filler material (first element) is placed inside the damage lumen, the lining material (second element) is applied over the filler material, and the shell (third element) encloses the lining material. This nested arrangement protects the filler material from external agents while maintaining the sealing function, directly resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and vulnerability to displacement/degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lining material serves as an intermediary layer between the filler material and the external environment. It is in direct contact with the filler material, providing mechanical support and protection, while the shell provides the outer protective barrier. This intermediary structure prevents direct exposure of the filler material to harmful external agents.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If safety measures are taken to protect the repair, then protection is improved, but the repair becomes more vulnerable than expected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite repair structure consisting of three distinct materials with complementary properties: the filler material provides sealing, the lining material provides mechanical support and adhesion, and the shell provides structural protection and environmental resistance. This composite approach ensures that each layer performs its specific function optimally, preventing the vulnerabilities that arise from using单一 materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is designed to conform to the external surface of the tubular element, providing a curved protective enclosure that distributes mechanical stresses evenly. This curved geometry enhances the protective capability while maintaining structural integrity, addressing the vulnerability issue.
3Ease of manufacture
If the filler material is exposed to external agents, then application is simple, but the filler material undergoes faster degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement places the filler material inside the damage lumen first (simple application), then covers it with the lining material and shell. This maintains the simplicity of the initial filler application while the subsequent layers provide long-term protection against degradation, resolving the contradiction between application simplicity and service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The filler material is applied first to immediately seal the damage, providing quick protection. The lining material and shell are then applied as preliminary protective measures before the filler material degrades, ensuring long-term durability without complicating the initial sealing action.
4Reliability
If complete replacement of the pipeline section is performed, then long-lasting consolidation is achieved, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the repair into three functional components (filler material, lining material, shell) that can be applied only to the damaged section rather than replacing the entire pipeline. This localized segmented approach achieves long-lasting consolidation at the damage site while avoiding the high costs of complete pipeline replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair solution applies different materials with specific properties only where needed: sealing material inside the damage, lining material over the damage area, and shell on the external surface. This localized application provides long-lasting consolidation at the damaged section without the expense of replacing the entire pipeline section.
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
The solution ensures durable repair with improved protection against fluid leaks and mechanical stresses, reducing the risk of filler displacement and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a filler material (2), configured for application at the damage C in order to occlude the lumen of the damage
Implementation Method 2
a lining material (4), configured for application onto the tubular element T, specifically onto the outer surface TE thereof
Implementation Method 3
The continuous fibers have an elastic modulus according to ASTM C1557 equal to or greater than 20 GPa, and a tensile strength according to ASTM C1557 equal to or greater than 200 MPa
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
There is described a kit (1) for repairing damages in tubular elements, particularly methane gas pipelines, comprising: - a filler material (2) configured for application at a damage (C) of a tubular element (T), in order to occlude a lumen of said damage, - a lining material (4) configured for application onto an outer surface of said tubular element (T) in order to cover said damage (C), a shell ((66)) configured for application onto at least part of said lining material (4) aatt an external position to said lining material (4). Moreover, there is described a method for repairing damages in tubular elements by employing the kit (1) described.