UV Pipe Curing Modules With Integrated Drivers for Longer Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curing devices for pipe renovation have cables with large cross-sections due to numerous power supply lines, limiting pipeline section length and causing high electrical conduction losses, making it inefficient and costly to renovate long sections in one go.
Innovation Solution
The operating devices for each UV light source are integrated directly on the UV modules within the pipe, allowing control via a cable with fewer wires, enabling higher voltage power supply and reducing line losses, with parallel connections for multiple devices on the same power and data lines, and incorporating microcontrollers for current regulation and data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each UV light source is assigned a separate operating device connected via cable to control device outside the pipe, then each UV light source can be controlled individually, but the cable requires large cross-section with many wires, limiting cable length and causing high line losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the operating device with the UV light source into an integrated module. The operating device is no longer a separate component connected via long cables, but is merged directly with the UV light source, eliminating the need for extensive power supply lines and reducing electrical line losses while maintaining individual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture transitions from a centralized control model (control device outside the pipe) to a distributed control model (control integrated at each UV module). This dimensional change in control architecture allows each UV light source to be controlled individually without requiring long cables to run back to a central control point.
2Ease of operation
If each UV light source is assigned a separate operating device connected via cable to control device outside the pipe, then each UV light source can be controlled individually, but the cable length is limited, restricting the length of pipe sections that can be repaired in one go
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is merged with the UV light source into an integrated module, eliminating the need for long cables connecting individual operating devices to a central control unit. This allows the system to operate over much longer distances without cable length limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each UV module contains its own integrated operating device, allowing it to function autonomously without requiring connection to a central control device via long cables. The module is self-sufficient in terms of control functionality.
3Power
If high operating current flows through powerful UV light sources via long cables, then the UV light sources can be powered, but very high line losses occur in the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is integrated directly with the UV light source, eliminating long cable runs that cause high line losses. The power supply connection is minimized to a single point at the control device outside the pipe, while the integrated operating device manages power distribution locally to the UV light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters by using high voltage/low current transmission over the single cable connection from the control device, then the integrated operating device converts this to the appropriate low voltage/high current needed for the UV light source locally, minimizing line losses in the cable.
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
This configuration significantly reduces cable cross-section, enabling longer cable lengths and lower electrical losses, allowing for longer pipeline sections to be renovated efficiently and cost-effectively, with improved control and monitoring of UV light sources and temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
each UV module has at least one UV light source for irradiating the inner wall of a pipe
Implementation Method 2
The conductor's resin is then cured using a curing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a curing device comprising at least one UV module (3), said UV module (3) having at least one UV light source (6) for irradiating the inner wall of a pipe (1), the UV module (3) that is fitted into the pipe (1) being connected, by means of a cable (7), to a control system (9) located outside the pipe (1). The aim of the invention is to provide a curing device, in which the cable (7) for connecting the UV modules (3) to the control system (9) has a reduced cross-section compared to prior art. This should allow longer pipeline sections to be sanitized at the same time. In addition, electric power losses in the cable (7) should be reduced. To achieve this aim, at least one operating device (10), which is connected to the cable (7) and the UV light source (6), is provided on each UV module (3) and the control system (9) controls the operating device (10) via the cable (7) in order to operate the UV light source (6).