Seamless Tubular Liner Expansion for Variable-Diameter Pipe Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular liners for pipe rehabilitation have limitations, including fixed diameters that do not accommodate variations in pipe diameter, leading to bulges, reduced flow efficiency, and structural weaknesses at seams, which hinder effective rehabilitation and maintenance of underground and surface pipes.
Innovation Solution
A seamless tubular liner with a circular woven sheath made of longitudinal warps and circumferential wefts comprising staple fibers that can elongate under inflation pressure, allowing diameter expansion to match varying pipe diameters and providing structural reinforcement without seams, impregnated with a curable resin for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tubular liner with fixed diameter is used, then structural reinforcement is provided, but it cannot accommodate variations in pipe diameter leading to bulges and reduced flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular liner transitions from a static fixed-diameter structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The liner is inserted in a collapsed or compacted state and then expanded radially outward to conform to the host pipe's inner diameter, allowing adaptation to various pipe sizes while maintaining structural integrity and preventing bulge formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner's physical parameters (diameter, shape) are changed from a fixed state during insertion to an expanded state during installation. This parameter transformation enables the liner to match the host pipe's dimensions, accommodating diameter variations without creating deformities.
2Strength
If a seamless tubular liner is used, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible tubular liner that can be manufactured as a seamless structure using advanced forming techniques. The seamless design eliminates weak points at seams while maintaining flexibility for insertion and expansion, achieving both high strength and manufacturability through modern fabrication methods.
3Reliability
If the tubular liner diameter is made larger than the pipe diameter, then firm contact with pipe wall is ensured, but flow efficiency is reduced due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The liner diameter is dynamically adjusted to match the host pipe's inner diameter precisely. By expanding the liner to the exact required size rather than using a fixed larger diameter, the system ensures firm contact with the pipe wall for reliability while minimizing obstruction to fluid flow, thereby maintaining productivity.
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 seamless tubular liner effectively expands to fit varying pipe diameters, prevents bulges, and offers robust structural reinforcement, ensuring long-term durability and flow efficiency by maintaining a firm contact with pipe walls and filling cavities, thus extending the life of rehabilitated pipes.
Implementation Method 1
the circumferential wefts consisting of slivers adapted to elongate through disentanglement of the bundled staple fibers when the tubular liner is subjected to an inflation pressure such that the diameter of the tubular liner is able to expand
Implementation Method 2
impregnated with a curable resin which after insertion is pressurized to press the liner against the inner wall of the damaged pipe and cured in place to form a rigid structural lining inside the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A seamless tubular liner for repairing an underground or surface pipe is disclosed, including circumferential wefts consisting of slivers comprising a plurality of staple fibers bundled together, the slivers adapted to elongate through disentanglement of the bundled staple fibers when the seamless tubular liner is subjected to an inflation pressure such that the diameter of the tubular liner is able to expand to accommodate variations of diameter of the pipe being repaired.