Toneable Conduit With Interior Wire for Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduits buried underground, especially those with non-metallic cables like fiber optics, are difficult to locate due to lack of detectability by conventional means, and existing constructions that include metallic or magnetic strips for detection often face issues with moisture ingress and damage during installation.
Innovation Solution
A toneable conduit with a continuous wire coated to prevent adhesion, embedded within a polymeric tube, allowing signal transmission for extended distances and enabling coupling by tearing the wire out for electrical connection, while maintaining structural integrity and preventing moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If an exterior rib with metallic wire is used for detection, then the conduit can be detected by metal detection devices and toning equipment, but the connector cannot fit flush onto the conduit causing moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic wire is extracted from the exterior rib structure and repositioned to run along the interior surface of the conduit wall. This allows the detection function to be maintained while eliminating the exterior rib that prevented proper connector fitment and caused moisture ingress issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic wire is moved from an exterior position to an interior position within the conduit wall structure. This dimensional relocation allows the wire to serve its detection function while no longer interfering with the exterior connector interface, thus preventing moisture ingress pathways.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If an exterior rib with metallic wire is used for detection, then the conduit can be detected by metal detection devices, but the wire and rib can be ripped off during directional boring or plowing installation
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic wire is extracted from the vulnerable exterior rib structure and repositioned to the interior wall surface where it is protected from mechanical damage during installation methods such as directional boring or plowing, while still maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is relocated from the exterior surface to the interior wall surface, changing its spatial dimension from exposed to protected. This relocation shields the wire from mechanical forces applied during installation, preventing it from being ripped off while maintaining its detection capability.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If continuous metallic ribbon is used for detection, then the conduit can be detected at three to five feet depth, but it does not have suitable construction for transmitting toning signals over extended distances
Solution Approach 1:
The detection element is changed from a thin magnetic ribbon to a thicker continuous metallic wire with superior electrical conductivity. This parameter change enables the wire to transmit toning signals over extended distances while maintaining adequate magnetic detectability at depths of three to five feet or greater.
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 detection by toning equipment over long distances and at deep depths, facilitates coupling for extended lengths, and provides crush strength and corrosion resistance, ensuring reliable underground cable protection.
Implementation Method 1
toning equipment is commonly used that operates by transmitting a signal along a metallic wire or strip associated with the conduit and detecting the signal from the ground surface
Implementation Method 2
The conduit includes a conductive wire that is coated to prevent adhesion to the polymer material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a toneable conduit that can transmit a signal and that can therefore be readily detected by toning equipment. In addition, the conduit of the invention can be readily coupled with other conduit to provide extended lengths of conduit. The toneable conduit includes an elongate polymeric tube having a wall with an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a predetermined wall thickness. A channel preferably extends longitudinally within the wall of the elongate polymeric tube and a stabilizing rib extends longitudinally along the interior surface of the wall of the elongate polymeric tube and is located radially inward from the channel. A continuous wire is coincident with the channel in the elongate polymeric tube and is preferably coated with a coating composition that prevents the wire from adhering to the polymer melt used to form the elongate polymeric tube. The present invention further includes methods of making the toneable conduit and methods of coupling a first toneable conduit with a second toneable conduit.