Telescopic Pipe Fitting with Inflatable Seal for Thick-Walled Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kits struggle to effectively connect and seal pipelines with atypical wall thicknesses, as well as repair defective connections, due to limitations in adapting to varying wall thicknesses and ensuring reliable liquid-tight seals.
Innovation Solution
A kit with an activatable seal and adjustable renovation connection piece, featuring a continuous cavity for expansion media or reactive foam, allowing the seal to increase in diameter for a secure fit, and telescopic sections that can be individually adapted to pipeline wall thicknesses, along with sealing elements and a vent valve for uniform pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length repair fitting is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to pipelines with varying wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The repair fitting is divided into two axially connectable sections (inner section and outer section) that can be connected in different configurations. The inner section has a first length and the outer section has a second length, allowing them to be connected end-to-end for thick walls or overlapping for thinner walls, providing adaptability to various wall thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The inner section and outer section can be connected in a nested configuration where the inner section is inserted into the outer section or they overlap axially. This nesting approach allows the same two sections to adapt to different wall thicknesses by varying the overlap or insertion depth, achieving versatility without requiring multiple different sized fittings
2Reliability
If a conventional seal is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot ensure reliable liquid-tight sealing in thick-walled pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed as an activatable seal with a continuous cavity that can be inflated with a filling medium (gas or liquid) to dynamically change its outer diameter. This dynamic expansion allows the seal to adapt to the inner circumference of the connection opening and ensure reliable liquid-tight sealing, while the base structure remains relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's outer diameter parameter can be changed by introducing a filling medium into the continuous cavity, causing the seal to expand radially. This parameter change enables the seal to match different connection opening sizes and ensure reliable sealing, while the unactivated seal maintains a compact, simple structure
3Reliability
If the seal is activated by expanding it, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The filling medium serves multiple functions: it activates the seal by expanding it, it distributes pressure uniformly through the continuous cavity to ensure even sealing contact, and it can be introduced through a simple filling connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex activation mechanisms while maintaining high sealing effectiveness
4Adaptability or versatility
If two axially connectable sections are used, then adaptability to wall thickness is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The two sections are designed with connection features that allow them to be axially connected in different pre-determined configurations (end-to-end for thick walls, overlapping for thinner walls). This preliminary design of connection options simplifies the on-site assembly process, as workers only need to choose the appropriate configuration rather than perform complex adjustments
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
Enables reliable, liquid-tight connections and adaptations to varying pipeline wall thicknesses, ensuring effective sealing and ease of installation, even in pipelines with unusual or large wall thicknesses, such as those made of tamped concrete or brick.
Implementation Method 1
a filling medium can be introduced into the cavity, causing the seal to expand and increase its outer diameter
Implementation Method 2
If gas is not used as the filling medium, the air in the cavity can be completely displaced by the filling medium, allowing it to distribute evenly within the cavity of the seal
Implementation Method 3
an expandable material, such as a reactive two-component foam, can be introduced into the inner cavity of the seal, so that the expansion of this foam then increases the outer diameter of the seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A kit for the rehabilitation of a pipe connection comprises: ▪ a pipe fitting designated as a rehabilitation fitting (2), which is designed for insertion into a connection opening (3) of a pipe (1); ▪ a seal (7) arranged on the rehabilitation fitting (2) and effective on the inside of the pipe (1); ▪ a sealing collar (9) arranged on the rehabilitation fitting (2) and effective on the outside of the pipe (1), which surrounds the rehabilitation fitting (2), firstly fits tightly against the pipe (1), secondly fits tightly against the rehabilitation fitting (2), and which has a filling opening (14) accessible from the outside; ▪ and a liquid sealant which can be poured through the filling opening (14) into a sealing gap (16) in the area of the connection opening (3) between the pipe (1) and the rehabilitation fitting (2), as well as between the inner seal (7). and the outer sealing collar (9), the invention proposes,that the rehabilitation stub (2) is designed to be variable in length and has two axially connectable sections (4, 5), of which a so-called inner section (4) has the seal (7) and a so-called outer section (5) has the sealing collar (9).