Polymer-Lined Pipe Sleeve Retainer for Secure End Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigation systems with polymer-lined pipes face challenges in retaining the polymer lining due to expansion and contraction under varying temperatures and humidity, and in maintaining a smooth terminal-end surface for a tight seal, especially during transportation and connection.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve retainer is inserted into the polymer-lined pipe to retain the polymer sleeve, protect it, and form a seal with another polymer-lined pipe, featuring a tubular body with protuberances such as barbs or O-rings that frictionally engage the interior surface and a flange to nest with the pipe flange, ensuring a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the polymer-lined pipe is transported on flatbed trailers or non-climate controlled shipping vehicles, then the pipe can be transported to the installation site, but the polymer lining expands and contracts due to varying temperatures and humidity, making it difficult to retain in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing the polymer lining into the pipe before transportation, and using retainers positioned at the ends of the pipe to pre-establish the lining's position. This prevents the lining from shifting during transportation due to temperature and humidity variations, ensuring it remains in place without requiring climate-controlled shipping.
2Ease of operation
If the polymer-lined pipe is transported without protective measures, then transportation is simplified, but the terminal-end surfaces are exposed to damage from debris or improper handling, reducing sealing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing protective caps or plugs on the terminal ends of the polymer-lined pipe before transportation. This pre-protection prevents debris and damage from compromising the terminal-end surfaces during shipping, ensuring that the sealing surfaces remain intact and functional when the pipe is installed and connected.
3Reliability
If retainers are used to hold the polymer lining, then the lining is retained during transportation, but the retainers may interfere with the smooth terminal-end surface needed for sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing retainers with different characteristics for different locations: the main body of the retainer has a rough or textured interior surface that provides friction to hold the polymer lining securely during transportation, while the exterior surface at the terminal end is smooth and contoured to match the pipe's sealing surface, ensuring that the retainer does not interfere with the sealing ability when properly positioned.
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 sleeve retainer effectively retains the polymer sleeve, protects it from damage, and maintains a tight seal between connected pipes, enhancing the durability and efficiency of the irrigation system.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a tubular body with protuberances such as barbs or O-rings that frictionally engage the interior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer-lined fluid transmission line includes various structures, including a first polymer-lined pipe, a second polymer-lined pipe, and one or more sleeve retainers installed at a pipe junction between the polymer-lined pipes. Among other things, the sleeve retainers may include one or more protuberances to frictionally engage the polymer-lined pipes or a one or more portions that protrude into a space between the polymer-lined pipes to help retain and protect polymer sleeves.