Spiral-Reinforced Flexible Pipe for Vacuum-Resistant Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipes face a trade-off between mechanical strength and flexibility, with known solutions either limiting internal diameter or failing to withstand vacuum pressure, necessitating an improved compromise.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, hollow tubular sheath made of polymer foam with a spiral-wound rigid rod, where the rod's diameter is at least 70% of the sheath thickness, providing enhanced strength and flexibility with a low linear mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid spiral hose with a rigid or semi-rigid rod embedded in a flexible polymer matrix is used, then resistance to vacuum pressure and mechanical strength are improved, but flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible polymer matrix as the outer sheath that provides flexibility while containing the rigid spiral rod. This allows the pipe to bend and adapt to configurations while maintaining structural integrity and vacuum resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines rigid rod material with flexible polymer matrix material to create a composite spiral structure. This composite design integrates the strength of rigid materials with the flexibility of polymers, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If a layer of textile sandwiched between two layers of polymer material is used, then flexibility is improved, but resistance to vacuum pressure is lost and the pipe collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the textile layer with a rigid or semi-rigid rod material that provides vacuum resistance. The rigid rod embedded in the flexible polymer matrix creates a composite structure that maintains flexibility while preventing collapse under vacuum pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible polymer matrix acts as a flexible shell that maintains the pipe's adaptability and flexibility while the embedded rigid rod provides the necessary structural support to resist vacuum pressure and prevent collapse.
3Strength
If the pipe is made more robust to transport fluids and granules under pressure or vacuum, then mechanical strength is improved, but flexibility decreases and the pipe becomes more prone to puncture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite spiral rod structure combining rigid rod material with flexible polymer matrix. This composite design provides enhanced mechanical strength for pressure and vacuum transport while maintaining flexibility to prevent puncture and adapt to configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible polymer matrix surrounding the rigid rod acts as a flexible protective shell that distributes stress and prevents puncture, while allowing the pipe to bend and flex without compromising the underlying rigid support structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flexible, circular-section pipe (1) for circulating fluid and/or solid particles, comprising a flexible, hollow tubular sheath (10) and a rigid rod (20), said flexible sheath (10) forming a cylindrical portion being made from a flexible polymer material comprising a foam, said rigid rod (20) being characterized by a diameter equal to at least 100% of the thickness of the flexible polymer material of the flexible sheath (10) and at most equal to 150% and being wound in a spiral at least partly integrated into the flexible sheath (10) so as to form a spiral extending along the pipe (1).