Segmental Tube Assembly With Nesting for Easier Pipeline Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of conventionally manufactured pipelines is expensive and time-consuming due to the challenges of shipping and assembling long or short segments, which require significant logistics and storage space, and often result in inefficient use of resources and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A segmental tube structure composed of multiple tube segments connected via welds, with each segment spanning an equal arc of the circumference, allowing for nesting and efficient shipping, and featuring an outer and inner metal layer with rib stiffeners for enhanced strength, enabling rapid assembly and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If long spans of pipes are pre-manufactured and shipped to the job site, then assembly is simplified, but shipping and logistics become more difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into multiple modular segments that can be manufactured to manageable lengths for efficient shipping and handling. These segments are then assembled on-site to form the complete pipeline structure, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and shipping difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes nesting multiple segments within each other during storage and transport. This allows multiple pipe segments to be compacted into a small space, dramatically reducing shipping volume and logistics complexity while maintaining the ability to assemble complete pipelines when needed.
2Length of moving object
If pipes are manufactured in smaller segments, then shipping becomes easier, but assembly becomes more difficult and involved
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe system is designed as modular segments with standardized interfaces. Each segment is self-contained with connection features that simplify the assembly process, making it easier to connect multiple segments together despite the increased number of connections required.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection interfaces and assembly features are pre-configured on each segment during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of connection points, flanges, or coupling mechanisms reduces the complexity and time required for on-site assembly operations.
3Length of moving object
If either smaller or larger pipe segments are used, then a large footprint is required at the installation site for staging
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pipe segments are designed to nest within each other during storage and transport, dramatically reducing the space required at the installation site. This nesting capability allows segments to be compacted into a minimal footprint while maintaining full assembly capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The staging area requirements are made dynamic through the nesting capability. When segments are nested, the footprint is minimized for transport and storage. When assembly is required, segments can be sequentially extracted and assembled, transforming the space requirement from static large-area storage to dynamic sequential assembly.
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 reduces construction time and costs by enabling centralized manufacturing, improving quality control, and allowing for rapid, cost-effective deployment of tubular structures in various terrains, while minimizing the need for extensive on-site staging and logistics.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of tube segments are connected to adjacent tube segments of the plurality of tube segments in the circumferential direction to form the segmental tube section structure
Data Source
AI summary
A segmental tube section structure having a length and a circumference, the segmental tube section structure including a plurality of tube segments extending the length in a longitudinal direction of the segmental tube section structure and extending in a circumferential direction of the segmental tube section structure, wherein each tube segment of the plurality of tube segments extends in the circumferential direction to span an equal arc of the circumference of the segmental tube section, and wherein each of the plurality of tube segments are connected to adjacent tube segments of the plurality of tube segments in the circumferential direction to form the segmental tube section structure.