Service Sealing Insert for Reinforcing Lined Conduit Junctions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rehabilitating conduits and services face challenges in providing a secure and tight seal, especially after the installation of a structural liner, due to erosion and failure of conduit attachments, which can lead to leakage and stress on surrounding structures.
Innovation Solution
A service sealing and reinforcement insert with a tubular portion and flange is designed to be inserted into a service aperture, featuring a conical shape, ribs, and a beveled edge, made of resilient thermoplastic polyurethane, which can be affixed using adhesive and robotically installed to ensure a secure seal between the conduit and service, even if the conduit fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cured-in-place structural liner is installed in the conduit, then the liner provides long-term durability and prevents leakage, but the attachment between conduit and service creates stress points that can lead to erosion and failure around the service
Solution Approach 1:
The insert provides localized reinforcement at the service attachment point where stress concentration occurs. The tubular portion fits within the service conduit while the flange bears against the liner, creating a localized strengthening zone that distributes stress away from the vulnerable service-conduit interface without requiring changes to the entire liner system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement system is segmented into distinct functional components: the tubular portion that fits inside the service conduit and the flange that contacts the liner. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the problem - the tube provides internal support while the flange distributes external loads - and enables installation without removing the existing liner.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional sealing methods are used at service attachments, then installation is simple, but the seal is insufficient to prevent leakage when the conduit fails around the service
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane, a composite material that combines flexibility with high tensile strength and durability. This material selection allows the insert to maintain seal integrity under stress while remaining installable using straightforward mechanical methods without requiring complex curing processes or specialized materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to be nested within the existing service conduit structure. The tubular portion fits inside the service conduit while the flange extends outward to contact the liner, creating a nested configuration that reinforces the existing structure rather than replacing it. This approach maintains installation simplicity while dramatically improving seal reliability.
3Reliability
If the conduit is replaced using open-cut replacement, then the conduit can be fully renewed, but the process is costly and labour-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic service attachment section is extracted and replaced with the reinforced insert while leaving the rest of the conduit system intact. This selective replacement approach addresses the specific failure point at the service connection without requiring excavation and replacement of the entire conduit, dramatically improving installation efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is pre-assembled with its tubular portion and flange configuration before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the insert to be installed as a single unit into the existing conduit, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly or extensive excavation work that would be required for full conduit replacement.
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 insert effectively seals and reinforces conduit junctions, minimizing leakage and providing structural integrity, allowing the cured-in-place liner to last decades without failure, while accommodating imperfections and stress points around services.
Implementation Method 1
made of resilient thermoplastic polyurethane
Implementation Method 2
affixed using adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A service sealing and reinforcement insert adapted to rehabilitate or reinforce a conduit junction between a main conduit and a service, the service reinforcement insert comprising a tubular portion and a flange portion extending radially therefrom. The insert can be manually or robotically installed, and it accommodates imperfectly aligned services. Made from resilient materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane, the insert is affixed using epoxy or any other suitable adhesive for structural integrity and sealing. Its conical shape aids in installation, while ribs and an angled lip optimize epoxy distribution and structural attachment. Optionally, the flange can incorporate a gasket to enhance sealing. This invention provides a reliable solution for sealing, reinforcing, and rehabilitating conduit junctions, prolonging their functional life.