Segmented Pipe Bend Insulation for Compact Transport and Fast Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal insulation methods for complex piping structures, such as bends and curved sections, are difficult to apply and transport due to their voluminous nature and require significant manual effort, especially in confined spaces, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and increased risk of condensation and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A package comprising multiple corner segments of thermal insulation material, cut at oblique angles, which can be easily transported and assembled to form a straight tube configuration, allowing for efficient insulation of bends and other complex piping structures, with the ability to be applied quickly and accurately without requiring extensive space or manual manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curved insulation material is used to insulate bends and complex piping structures, then insulation effectiveness is improved, but the material becomes voluminous and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The curved insulation material is divided into multiple linear segments that can be easily transported. Each segment corresponds to a specific angular range (e.g., 0-45 degrees, 45-90 degrees) and can be independently packaged. When installed, these segments are assembled together to form the complete curved insulation covering bends and complex piping structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation material is designed to transition from a two-dimensional flat sheet to a three-dimensional curved structure during installation. The linear segments are cut and folded at specific angles to wrap around pipes and form curved surfaces, enabling the material to conform to complex piping geometries while maintaining compact packaging dimensions.
2Reliability
If curved insulation material is used to insulate bends, then insulation coverage is improved, but the material becomes difficult to apply in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is segmented into multiple smaller linear pieces rather than requiring one large curved piece. This segmentation allows installers to work with manageable sections in confined spaces, making the material easier to handle, position, and secure around bends without requiring extensive manipulation of large voluminous material.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear segments are pre-cut and pre-formed with specific angles and dimensions during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site cutting and shaping operations in confined spaces, allowing installers to simply assemble the pre-prepared segments around the piping structures.
3Volume of moving object
If standard linear insulation material is used, then transport efficiency is improved, but insulation effectiveness for bends and curved sections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linear insulation material is designed with the capability to transform from a one-dimensional linear form during transport to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional curved form during installation. The material includes pre-formed angles and folding characteristics that enable it to wrap around pipes and conform to curved surfaces, maintaining insulation effectiveness while preserving transport efficiency.
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 solution enables efficient and time-saving thermal insulation of large-diameter pipes and complex structures, reducing energy consumption and preventing condensation, while maintaining a high level of insulation effectiveness and ease of application, even in limited spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal insulation has a reduced thermal conduction or likewise an insulating action. A thermal conductivity (k) is used to quantify insulating properties. Therein a low thermal conductivity value indicates a high insulating capability (R-value).
Implementation Method 2
Such high vapor resistance, combined with the high surface emissivity of rubber, allows flexible elastomeric foams to prevent surface condensation formation with comparatively small thicknesses.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention is in the field of engineering elements and units, in particular thermal insulation in general, such as for pipes, joints, fittings for pipes, and means for thermal insulation, more in particular to a package 10 comprising insulation material to be applied on a 3-dimensional structure, a method for applying thermal heat insulation, and an insulated 3D-structure.