Thick Sleeve Pipe Reinforcement Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe reinforcement methods for pipes under pressure, particularly in the oil and gas industry, face challenges such as frequent maintenance, occupational hazards, and inability to effectively reinforce pipes with radial defects or larger diameters, as they often require shut-downs and lack sufficient compressive forces.
Innovation Solution
A method using a 'thick' steel sleeve with a wall thickness greater than the pipe, which is heated to create a sustained temperature differential, allowing for greater thermal expansion and subsequent compressive forces upon cooling, combined with a clamping assembly using screw jacks for efficient installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a prior art sleeve is installed on a pressurized pipe, then installation can occur without shutdown, but the sleeve loosens and separates when pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve design incorporates a circumferential compression mechanism that activates when internal pressure drops. The sleeve maintains engagement with the pipe through controlled compression forces that increase as pressure decreases, ensuring retention during shutdowns while allowing installation on pressurized pipes
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve transitions from a flexible state during installation to a compressed locked state during operation. The dynamic compression mechanism adapts to pressure changes, maintaining secure retention throughout the pressure cycle
2Ease of manufacture
If prior art methods are used to reinforce pipes, then pipe defects can be addressed, but frequent maintenance and replacement are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve incorporates a self-retaining mechanism that automatically maintains compression forces without external intervention. The design eliminates the need for frequent maintenance by ensuring continuous secure engagement with the pipe throughout pressure cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve applies compression forces that exceed the minimum required for retention, providing a safety margin that prevents loosening under varying operating conditions and eliminates the need for frequent maintenance
3Strength
If an external sleeve is used to reinforce larger diameter pipes, then pipe reinforcement is achieved, but sufficient compressive forces are difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve design incorporates a compression mechanism that generates sufficient compressive forces on large diameter pipes through controlled deformation and mechanical advantage, maintaining adequate reinforcement forces regardless of pipe size
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve construction uses composite material properties to generate and maintain compression forces, combining materials with different mechanical characteristics to achieve the necessary compressive output for large diameter pipe reinforcement
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 thick sleeve achieves higher compressive forces on pipes, particularly for larger diameters, and provides effective reinforcement for both unperforated and perforated pipes, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring secure attachment under varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
heated to create a sustained temperature differential, allowing for greater thermal expansion and subsequent compressive forces upon cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An external sleeve arrangement for repairing a defective length of pipe has top and bottom segments for substantially encircling the pipe, where the bottom segment in addition has connector plates welded on either side. When the pipe and sleeve segments are made of a similar material, the sleeve segments are made thicker than the pipe wall, up to three times as thick or more, so that upon heating the sleeve segments for a given time they stretch relative to the pipe. After joining the stretched sleeve segments with the connector plates to form a continuous circumferential sleeve, the sleeve is cooled to provide an enhanced interference fit to reinforce the defective length of pipe. Prior to heating, the sleeve segments are clamped about the pipe using a clamping mechanism employing lugs connected to the segments and screw jacks engaging those lugs to draw the segments tight to the pipe.