Resin Membrane for Water Conduit Lateral Opening Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rehabilitating underground water conduits using tubular CIPP liners often result in blistering and resin seepage into lateral connections, making it difficult and time-consuming to remove the hardened resin from these areas.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a membrane impregnated with hardening resin is positioned over lateral openings before the CIPP liner insertion, which hardens to form a rigid seal, preventing blistering and resin seepage, and is then easily removed using a robot with a cutting tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular CIPP liner is inserted into a pipe with lateral openings, then the pipe wall is repaired and sealed, but the liner expands into lateral branches forming blisters and resin seeps into the branches
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pipe system into two segments: the main pipe and the lateral branches. By installing a removable blocking device in the lateral branch, the main pipe can be rehabilitated with a CIPP liner while the lateral branch remains accessible and uncontaminated. This segmentation allows the repair operation to proceed without compromising lateral opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary blocking device that temporarily seals the lateral opening during the CIPP liner installation. This blocking device acts as a mediator between the main pipe rehabilitation process and the lateral branch, preventing resin from entering the lateral opening while allowing the CIPP liner to be properly installed in the main pipe.
2Strength
If pressurized water is introduced to press the CIPP liner against the pipe wall, then the liner adheres properly, but the liner expands into lateral openings forming blisters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by installing a blocking device in the lateral opening before introducing pressurized water to install the CIPP liner. This blocking device prevents the water pressure from forcing the liner into the lateral branch, thereby preventing blister formation while still allowing the liner to adhere properly to the main pipe wall.
3Ease of manufacture
If the CIPP liner is used to rehabilitate pipes, then the rehabilitation process is minimally invasive, but removing hardened resin from lateral branches is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by installing a blocking device in the lateral opening before the CIPP liner installation. This preliminary blocking prevents resin from entering the lateral branch in the first place, eliminating the need for difficult and time-consuming resin removal operations later. The blocking device is then easily removed after the CIPP liner has cured.
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 approach simplifies the rehabilitation process by preventing resin expansion and seepage into lateral connections, making it easier and quicker to reopen and maintain the conduit system.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane impregnated with hardening resin positioned over the at least one lateral opening, and allowing the resin to harden thereby forming a rigid membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A method of rehabilitating a network of underground water conduits having at least one lateral opening and a membrane for that purpose is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of blocking and sealing the at least one lateral opening with a membrane impregnated with a hardening resin positioned over the at least one lateral opening, and allowing the resin to harden thereby forming a rigid membrane over the at least one lateral opening.