Segmented Pipe With Topographic Inner Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of pipes with complex internal structures, such as ribbed or dimpled surfaces, becomes increasingly difficult as pipe length increases and diameter decreases, making it challenging to access and structure the inner surfaces effectively for heat exchange applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing the pipe into multiple pre-shaped segments that can be assembled and fixed without deformation, allowing for the introduction of topographic structures on the inner walls, followed by an additive metallic coating on the outer surface to form a contiguous pipe body, which addresses the accessibility and structural integrity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pipe is manufactured as a single continuous piece with inner surface structuring, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase significantly as pipe length increases and diameter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into multiple separate segments that are manufactured individually with topographic structures on their inner surfaces. These segments are then joined together using connection elements to form the complete pipe assembly. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured more easily while maintaining the overall structural integrity through the joining mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The topographic structures are introduced on the inner surfaces of the pipe segments during the manufacturing process itself, before the segments are assembled. This preliminary structuring eliminates the need for subsequent inner surface modification and ensures the heat transfer structures are properly formed without requiring complex post-assembly operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing methods are used for small diameter pipes, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the inner surface remains smooth and heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By manufacturing the pipe as separate segments, the invention enables the application of topographic structures on the inner surfaces of each segment during fabrication. These structures (such as ribs, dimples, or pins) significantly enhance heat transfer between the fluid and pipe wall, overcoming the limitation of smooth inner surfaces in conventionally manufactured small diameter pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The topographic structures are applied locally to the inner surfaces of the pipe segments, creating areas of enhanced heat transfer where needed. This local modification of the surface geometry increases the heat transfer coefficient without requiring a complete redesign of the entire manufacturing process for the pipe.
3Reliability
If additive manufacturing is used to create complex inner structures, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is manufactured as separate segments that can be produced using conventional, high-speed manufacturing methods with integrated topographic structures. This approach avoids the time-consuming additive manufacturing process while still achieving complex inner surface geometries through precision forming or machining of each segment during fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The topographic structures are formed during the primary manufacturing process of the pipe segments, rather than being added subsequently through slow additive manufacturing. This preliminary formation of heat transfer structures maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving the desired heat transfer performance.
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 enables the creation of pipes with complex inner structures that maintain structural integrity and enhance heat transfer efficiency while reducing manufacturing stress and thermal degradation, even at lower temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
additive application of a coating (8) consisting of a metallic material to an outer wall of the pipe shell segments over the abutment surfaces to form a contiguous pipe body
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a pipe with an inner pipe having topographic structures arranged on an inside of the inner pipe and having a coating arranged on an outside of the inner pipe, the method including: a) providing at least two pipe shell segments, each with an inner wall, an outer wall, and a peripheral abutment surface, which are placeable on one another in an accurately fitting manner to form the inner pipe; b) mounting or introducing the topographic structures on or in the inner wall of each pipe shell segment of the at least two pipe shell segments; c) placing the pipe shell segments on one another via the abutment surfaces to form the inner pipe so as to form abutment lines; d) fixing the pipe shell segments incorporated in the inner pipe by placing fixing means thereon; and e) additively applying a coating.