IES86498B2

IES86498B2 - Variable volume pipe insert

Info

Publication number: IES86498B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Laurence Endersen
Original assignee: Laurence Endersen
Priority date: 2012-10-05
Filing date: 2012-10-05
Publication date: 2015-02-25
Also published as: IES20120444A2

Abstract

This invention relates to the hazard of water pipes bursting during freezing temperatures. As water freezes it begins to expand, this expansion generates a large internal pressure on the pipe wall, when this pressure exceeds the maximum allowable stress of the pipe wall, fracture will occur, cauging it to fail. This invention will eliminate this from happening. The variable volume pipe insert is cylindrical in shape; it can be placed easily inside any pipe containing water. The variable volume pipe insert is made of a compressible, flexible and durable material. It can be manufactured to many lengths to suit every variation of water systems in a domestic or industrial dwelling. The properties and construction of the material allow the variable volume pipe insert to be compressed, the compression acts in proportion with the expansion of the freezing water preventing pressure to increase inside the pipe and preventing fracture of the outer pipe wall. Once the ice has melted the variable volume pipe insert will return to its original size and shape where the water will flow through the pipe unobstructed. <Figure 4>

Description

Title Variable volume pipe insert.

Field of invention This present invention relates to internal and external water systems. In particular to fracture of water pipes wall due to the expansion of internal frozen water.

Background of the invention A water pipe is a fixed structure that transports water from one place to another within the pipe construction. The water pipe is generally a hollow bar made of metal (i.e. copper) or composite (i.e. PVC) material running in a straight length. A pipe can be constructed to a limited number of shapes to enable a number of water system designs.ie. Tee, 90 degree bend, elbow etc.

The current internal and external water pipe design consisted of a light pipe wall construction; the wall is capable of holding its own mass, the moving water inside and the occurring water pressure. This provides a strong and rigid water pipe. The material metal or composite pipes are inherently capable to operate with little effect of temperatures from 0 to 100 degrees Celsius.

The current water pipe design has proven to perform poorly during colder and winter conditions. Theses designs will fracture if the water inside freezes as the volume of the frozen solid ice is greater than liquid water. Efforts have been made to reduce this wall fracture from occurring, by providing the pipe with greater insulation and applying heat to the pipe to keep water temperature above freezing. Both attempts over time will not provide a permanent solution; overtime the insulation will fail to protect the pipe from freezing and heating the pipe is effectively a waste of electricity, thus not a optimum solution. 2 S 8 6 4 9 8 There exists a need for a new pipe design that is capable of holding moving water and pressure while still able to withstand temperatures of -0 to 100 degree Celsius. The proposed pipe in the application will solve this problem. The variable volume pipe insert will vary the available internal volume to the pipe, by increasing the internal volume during the occurrence of internal frozen water; thus increasing the pipe wall diameter preventing internal pressure to increase and eliminating a pipe wall fracture.

Statement of invention Accordingly there is a pipe comprising of; a metal or composite pipe outer shell and a variable volume pipe insert.

The metal or composite pipe outer shell identical to the present pipe manufactured.

The variable volume pipe insert comprises of a durable flexible and compressible material. It is tubular in shape, the pipe insert wall consisting of numerous air filled compressible compartments. The pipe insert is hollow allowing water to flow unobstructed. During the occurrence of water freezing the variable volume pipe insert wall reduces in proportion to the expanded ice, allowing the pipe insert internal volume to increase and prevent the increase in pressure to fracture the outer pipe wall. The variable volume pipe insert properties allow it to return to its original shape and size once the ice has melted.

The Variable volume pipe insert will occupy 20% of the total pipe volume, allowing volumetric expansion of the frozen water to occur without causing fracture to the outer pipe wall.

The advantage of the invention allows volumetric expansion of internal frozen water in water pipe systems without fracture occurring to the pipe outer shell metal or composite. It provides a safer water pipe system capable of withstanding freezing weather conditions, it is easy to install, applicable to any type of water system existing or new, it will also increase the level of insulation for a water pipe system by creating an internally insulated pipe preventing conduction of the outer pipe, thus reducing heat transfer to the outer pipe before it arrives at the outlet for the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by the way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: End view of the variable volume pipe insert structure according to the invention Figure 2: Side view cut section of the variable volume pipe insert structure according to the invention Figure 3:3D perspective view of the variable volume pipe insert structure according to the 10 invention Figure 4: 3D perspective view of the variable volume pipe insert structure according to the invention Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings Referring to figure 1,2, 3 & 4 showing the variable volume pipe insert according to the invention, comprising of numerously air filled compressible compartments 1, the variable volume pipe insert compressible internal wall 2, and the variable volume pipe insert flexible external wall 3.

Claims

1. A pipe comprising of; a metal or composite pipe outer shell and a variable volume pipe insert. The metal or composite pipe outer shell identical to the present pipe manufactured. 5 The variable volume pipe insert comprises of a durable flexible and compressible material. It is tubular in shape, the pipe insert wall numerous air filled compressible compartments. The pipe insert is hollow allowing water to flow unobstructed. During the occurrence of water freezing the variable volume pipe insert wall reduces in proportion to the expanded ice, allowing the pipe insert internal volume to increase and prevent the 10 increase in pressure to fracture the outer pipe wall. The variable volume pipe insert properties allow it to return to its original shape and size once the ice has melted.

2. The pipe of any proceeding claim wherein, will increase the level of insulation for a water pipe system by creating an internally insulated pipe preventing conduction to the outer pipe, thus reducing heat transfer to the outer pipe before it arrives at the outlet for the user.