Sewer Pipe Junction Repair Using Expandable Hydrophilic Grout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing the junction between sewer main pipes and lateral pipes are inefficient due to groundwater penetration, which prevents full curing of resinous liners and requires multiple apparatus and procedures, increasing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A liner assembly comprising a main liner member, a lateral liner tube, and a collar impregnated with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material that expands in the presence of water, which is compressed to force the material to the damaged junction, creating a seal without reducing the inner pipe diameter significantly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin-impregnated liner tubes are used to repair the junction, then the liner forms an interior lining, but groundwater penetration prevents full curing of the resin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by injecting expandable grout through the liner tube before the resin curing process. The grout expands to fill voids and block groundwater pathways, creating a barrier that prevents water from reaching and interfering with the resin-impregnated liner during curing. This preliminary protective measure ensures complete resin curing despite the presence of groundwater.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable grout acts as an intermediary substance between the groundwater and the resin-impregnated liner. It is introduced through the liner tube and expands to create a protective barrier, mediating the interaction between harmful groundwater and the curing resin, thereby enabling successful liner formation.
2Reliability
If multiple apparatus (grout injection and liner insertion) are used to repair the junction, then leakage is sealed, but time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges grout injection and liner insertion into a single integrated apparatus and process. The liner tube serves dual functions: as the carrier for resin impregnation and as the conduit for grout injection. This combination allows simultaneous or sequential execution of both functions without requiring separate equipment, reducing repair time and labor while maintaining effective leakage sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner tube is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural element that forms the interior liner and as the injection conduit for delivering expandable grout. This universal component eliminates the need for separate grout injection equipment, streamlining the repair process and reducing time and cost.
3Device complexity
If the junction is repaired with traditional methods, then the structure is simple, but damage and leaking occur at the junction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining resin-impregnated liner tube with expandable grout. The resin provides structural lining while the expandable grout fills voids and seals external leakage paths. This composite approach creates a more reliable junction repair than traditional single-material methods, preventing both internal and external leakage without excessive structural complexity.
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 solution effectively seals the junction by expanding the material to form a hydrophobic or hydrophilic foam, preventing water leakage and ensuring a watertight seal without compromising the pipe's inner diameter, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the repair process.
Implementation Method 1
a collar impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic or hydrophilic material capable of curing and hardening and the material expanding in the presence of water
Implementation Method 2
The liner tubes are often impregnated with a resinous material, which cures and hardens with the addition of either heat or an independent exothermic reaction
Data Source
AI summary
A liner assembly and method for lining a damaged pipe junction between a main and lateral pipe is provided. The liner assembly includes a main liner member and a lateral liner tube. A collar disposed near the juncture between the main liner member and lateral liner tube is impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic or hydrophilic material capable of curing in a flexible or rigid state with the material expanding in the presence of water. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic material can also be applied without the use of the collar. When the liner assembly is pressed against the main and lateral pipes, a portion of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into the damaged pipe junction.