Vacuum Insulated Pipe Complex with Corrugated Metal Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating complexes for undersea pipes face challenges in mechanical strength, high-temperature resistance, and long-term thermal insulation performance, particularly at depths exceeding 3000 meters, where they are prone to deformation and gas migration issues, leading to reduced vacuum maintenance and increased thermal bridges.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight insulating complex featuring rectangular or parallelogram-shaped metal strips with corrugated zones, sealed to form a semi-rigid case around a pipe, utilizing nano-porous materials and a partial vacuum to maintain high thermal performance across a wide temperature range, and incorporating a getter for residual gas absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyurethane foam insulation is used in the annular gap, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the outer pipe diameter and steel thickness must be increased to withstand sea bottom pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using polyurethane foam (solid phase) to creating a vacuum (gas phase removal) in the annular gap. This phase transition eliminates the need for thick foam layers, allowing the outer pipe diameter to be reduced while maintaining thermal insulation performance and withstanding sea bottom pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment in the annular gap, removing all gas molecules. This inert environment provides excellent thermal insulation properties, eliminating the need for thick insulating materials and allowing the outer pipe to be dimensioned based on pressure resistance rather than thermal insulation requirements.
2Reliability
If reflective film is added to limit radiation, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all matter from the annular gap to create a vacuum. This single action provides thermal insulation by eliminating conduction and convection, and when combined with the natural reflectivity of pipe surfaces, limits radiation without requiring additional reflective film layers, thus reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the pipe assembly is made non-buoyant by increasing outer pipe thickness, then buoyancy control is improved, but weight increases and pressure resistance capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from solid foam insulation to vacuum insulation, dramatically reducing the volume and weight of insulating material. This weight reduction allows the outer pipe to be thinner while still achieving the required non-buoyant condition, thereby improving pressure resistance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulating medium from solid (foam) to vacuum (absence of matter). This parameter change reduces the density and weight of the insulation system, allowing the outer pipe to be dimensioned for pressure resistance rather than being governed by buoyancy requirements.
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 solution provides enhanced mechanical strength, extended lifespan, and consistent thermal insulation performance up to 200°C, minimizing thermal bridges and maintaining vacuum integrity for over 50 years, while allowing for easy adaptation to various pipe shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a first insulating complex comprising insulating material confined in a partial vacuum in a case
Implementation Method 2
radiation is also limited by wrapping the outer portion of the inner pipe in a reflective film, generally constituted by a film of aluminum
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a getter for residual gas absorption
Implementation Method 4
utilizing nano-porous materials and a partial vacuum to maintain high thermal performance
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating complex having a metal case and insulating material confined in a vacuum between the inner wall and the outer wall of the case and wherein each of the walls has a metal strip, at least one of which includes corrugations. An insulated pipe and a set of two coaxial pipes are also provided wherein the coaxial pipes are arranged as an inner pipe and an outer pipe, preferably undersea pipes for great depths.