AU2016202558A1 - Flume Water Piping Repair System - Google Patents

Abstract

A flume water piping repair system including a resilient repair plug with shape memory and having a head portion for insertion into a puncture in a flume pipe, a shaped body for extending at least partially out of the puncture and a peripheral beach between the head portion and the shaped body to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe. Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9

Description

ι 2016202558 21 Apr 2016

FLUME WATER PIPING REPAIR SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a flume water piping repair system which is simple and easy to use but adaptable to use in different situations.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Flexible flume piping is used to convey liquid, normally water from a pumping station to a crop area. Flume pipes normally simply lie on the ground and are not rigid, in other words, only the fluid within the flume pipe keeps the flume pipe in shape.

[0003] Flume pipes normally have pre-defined exit ports in order to allow the fluid to escape but to minimise any further tearing of the flume pipe wall. Problems are created however because the flume piping can be quite fragile and susceptible to punctures or tears, for example if an object drops onto the flume pipe. Pressure is then lost because the fluid escapes through the puncture rather than through the pre-defined exit port.

[0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a flume water piping repair system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a flume water piping repair system including a resilient repair plug with shape memory and having a head portion for insertion into a puncture in a flume pipe, a shaped body for extending at least partially out of the puncture and a peripheral ridge between the head portion and the shaped body to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe.

[0007] In an alternative aspect, the invention resides in a flume water piping repair system including a resilient repair plug with shape memory and having a head portion for insertion into a puncture in a flume pipe, a shaped body for extending at least partially out of the puncture such that the repair lug is deformed during insertion into a puncture and the shape memory acts to 2 hold the repair plug in place against fluid pressure. 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 [0008] The repair plug of the present invention may have any shape and typically, the shape will be dependent upon the shape of the puncture which a user is trying to seal. A variety of different shaped repair plugs may be provided or alternatively, a user may create a bespoke shape repair plug as required.

[0009] The repair plug will normally be manufactured from a resilient material with shape memory. Particularly preferred materials include polyurethanes and a viscoelastic polyurethane foam is the most preferred material. The material used may be heat activated in order to soften the plug temporarily in order to allow de formation during insertion of the plug into the puncture of the flume pipe and then to harden at least partially upon cooling. Preferably, the heat activation may be through manual manipulation by a user, typically kneading or otherwise working the repair plug immediately prior to insertion.

[0010] The system of the present invention may additionally include use of an adhesive in order to secure the plug in position. Any type of adhesive may be used. Normally, the adhesive will be chosen for the condition in which the repair plug will be used. For example, where the flume pipe conveys water, the adhesive will typically be at least water resistant.

[0011] Where an adhesive is used, the adhesive is preferably applied to the peripheral ridge. In this way, the enlarged head of the preferred repair plug can protect the adhesive applied to the peripheral ridge during insertion of the repair plug into the puncture.

[0012] The repair plug of the present invention includes a shaped body. The body may have any shape. Usually, the body will be sufficiently large for a user to hold the plug in order to manually insert, typically using force, the plug into the puncture, even against any pressure which may be applied by escaping fluid. The shaped body of the repair plug will typically be of sufficient length to extend out of the puncture once the peripheral shoulder has been inserted into the flume pipe and is in position abutting an inner surface of the flume pipe.

[0013] The shape of the body may correspond to the shape of the head portion of the repair plug but this is not necessarily the case. Generally, the shaped body will have an aesthetically pleasing shape as this portion will typically extend out of the flume pipe. According to the most preferred embodiment, the shaped body will diverge from the peripheral shoulder. The shaped body may diverge in all directions or only in some directions.

[0014] The head portion of the repair plug can have any shape. Preferably, the head portion 3 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 will be at least partially spherical. Preferably the head portion will be smooth. The shape of the head portion may allow or promote a static sealing force being exerted on the head portion by fluid within the fluid pipe once the repair plug is in position. It is preferred that the shape of the head portion minimise any fluid drag which will minimise any lateral force exerted on the repair plug by the flowing fluid.

[0015] The head portion will typically be larger than the adjacent portion of the shaped body. The peripheral shoulder will typically be formed therebetween. Normally, the head portion will converge from the peripheral shoulder to a forward most end.

[0016] The peripheral shoulder may be formed continuously about the repair plug between the head portion and the shaped body of the repair plug. The peripheral shoulder can have any dimension or width. Ideally, the larger the repair plug, the larger the dimension of the peripheral shoulder. Preferably, the peripheral shoulder will extend an equal distance from the shaped body in all directions about the repair plug but there may be instances where a peripheral shoulder of unequal widths can be provided.

[0017] Normally, the peripheral shoulder will extend radially outwardly from the shaped body to form an abutment shoulder.

[0018] In use, the head portion of the resilient repair plug will be forced into the flume pipe and the peripheral shoulder will be located so as to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe. When fluid flows through the flume pipe, the fluid will typically exert a preferably static pressure force against at least one surface of the repair plug, preferably forcing the repair plug and particularly the peripheral shoulder against the inner surface of the flume pipe.

[0019] The device of the present invention can be used to repair fluming when not in use (tyipcallly, fluming lies flat or non-expanded when not in use) as well as fluming that may be self supporting and therefore retain its shape, even when not in use.

[0020] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0021] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 4 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 [0022] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [0023] Figure 1A is an isometric view from below of a flume pipe repair plug according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure IB is an isometric view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 1A.

[0025] Figure 1C is a plan view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 1A.

[0026] Figure ID is a side view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 1A.

[0027] Figure IE is a front view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in

Figure 1A.

[0028] Figure IF is a bottom view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 1A.

[0029] Figure 2A is an isometric view from below of a flume pipe repair plug according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2B is a plan view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 2A.

[0031] Figure 2C is a side view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 2A.

[0032] Figure 2D is a front view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in

Figure 2A.

[0033] Figure 2E is a bottom view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 2A.

[0034]

Figure 3A is an isometric view from below of a flume pipe repair plug according to a 5 third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 [0035] Figure 3B is a plan view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 3A.

[0036] Figure 3C is a side view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 3A.

[0037] Figure 3D is a front view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 3A.

[0038] Figure 3E is a bottom view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 3A.

[0039] Figure 4A is an isometric view from below of a flume pipe repair plug according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4B is a plan view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 4 A.

[0041] Figure 4C is a side view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 4A.

[0042] Figure 4D is a front view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 4A.

[0043] Figure 4E is a bottom view from above of the flume pipe repair plug illustrated in Figure 4 A.

[0044] Figure 5 is a sectional schematic view of a flume pipe with a puncture therein.

[0045] Figure 6 is a sectional schematic view of the configuration illustrated in Figure 5 with a repair plug of the first preferred embodiment showing insertion.

[0046] Figure 7 is a more detailed view of aligning the repair plug of the first preferred embodiment with the puncture.

[0047] Figure 8 shows insertion of the repair plug of the first preferred embodiment into the puncture in the flume pipe.

[0048] Figure 9 is a schematic illustration showing the force of the fluid with in the flume 6 pipe acting on the repair plug to hold the repair plug in position. 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 [0049] Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a flume pipe with different shaped punctures and the use of different preferred embodiments of repair plug.

[0050] Figure 11 is a schematic illustration showing an operator sealing a puncture using a repair plug of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 12 is a schematic illustration showing a user creating a bespoke repair plug by exciting the required shape from a sheet of resilient material.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flume pipe repair system is provided.

[0053] The flume water piping repair system of the preferred embodiment is based around the insertion of a resilient repair plug 4 with shape memory into a puncture 2 in a flume pipe 1. A flume pipe conveys water from a pumping station 9 to crops 8 with an opening through the sidewall of the pipe to allow water 9 to escape the flume pipe.

[0054] The preferred resilient repair plug 4 has a head portion 13 for insertion into the puncture 2 in a flume pipe 1, a shaped body 14 for extending at least partially out of the puncture 2 and a peripheral ridge or shoulder 15 between the head portion 13 and the shaped body 14 to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe 1.

[0055] The repair plug may have any shape and typically, the shape will be dependent upon the shape of the puncture which a user is trying to seal such as that illustrated in Figure 10 as a round puncture 11 or an elongate tear 12. A variety of different shaped repair plugs may be provided such as those illustrated in Figures 1A to 4E or alternatively, a user may create a bespoke shape repair plug as required as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0056] The repair plug is preferably manufactured from a resilient material with shape memory and a viscoelastic polyurethane foam is the most preferred material.

[0057] The repair plug of the present invention includes a shaped body 14. Usually, the body 14 is sufficiently large for a user to hold the plug 4 in order to manually insert, typically using force, the plug into the puncture, even against any pressure which may be applied by escaping fluid 3. The shaped body 14 of the repair plug 4 will typically be of sufficient length to 7 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 extend out of the puncture once the peripheral shoulder 15 has been inserted into the flume pipe and is in position abutting an inner surface of the flume pipe 1.

[0058] According to the most preferred embodiment, the shaped body will diverge from the peripheral shoulder. The shaped body may diverge in all directions or only in some directions.

[0059] The head portion of the repair plug can have any shape. Preferably, the head portion will be at least partially spherical as illustrated in Figure 1A and IB. Preferably the head portion is smooth. The shape of the head portion may allow or promote a static sealing force 6 being exerted on the head portion by fluid within the fluid pipe once the repair plug is in position. It is preferred that the shape of the head portion minimise any fluid drag which will minimise any lateral force exerted on the repair plug by the flowing fluid. The head portion may deform under the fluid pressure as illustrated in Figure 9.

[0060] The head portion 13 will typically be larger than the adjacent portion of the shaped body 14 and the peripheral shoulder 15 is formed therebetween.

[0061] The peripheral shoulder 15 may be formed continuously about the repair plug between the head portion 13 and the shaped body 14 of the repair plug 4. The peripheral shoulder 15 can have any dimension or width. Ideally, the larger the repair plug, the larger the dimension of the peripheral shoulder. Preferably, the peripheral shoulder will extend an equal distance from the shaped body in all directions about the repair plug but there may be instances where a peripheral shoulder of unequal widths can be provided.

[0062] Normally, the peripheral shoulder will extend radially outwardly from the shaped body to form an abutment shoulder.

[0063] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, in use, the head portion 13 of the resilient repair plug 4 is forced into the flume pipe 1 and the peripheral shoulder 15 is located so as to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe 1. When fluid flows through the flume pipe 1, the fluid will typically exert a preferably static pressure force against at least one surface of the repair plug 4, preferably forcing the repair plug 4 and particularly the peripheral shoulder 15 against the inner surface of the flume pipe 1.

[0064] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 2016202558 21 Apr 2016 8 [0065] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0066] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (17)

1. A flume water piping repair system including a resilient repair plug with shape memory and having a head portion for insertion into a puncture in a flume pipe, a shaped body for extending at least partially out of the puncture and a peripheral ridge between the head portion and the shaped body to abut an inner surface of the flume pipe.

2. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the repair plug is formed of a material which is heat activated in order to soften the repair plug temporarily in order to allow deformation during insertion of the repair plug into the flume pipe and then to harden at least partially upon cooling.

3. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the heat activation is accomplished through manual manipulation by a user working the repair plug immediately prior to insertion.

4. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims additionally include use of an adhesive in order to secure the repair plug in position within the flume pipe.

5. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the adhesive is applied to the peripheral ridge.

6. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims the shaped body of the repair plug is of sufficient length to extend out of the puncture once the peripheral shoulder has been inserted into the flume pipe and is in position abutting an inner surface of the flume pipe.

7. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shaped body diverges from the peripheral shoulder.

8. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the head portion is at least partially spherical.

9. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shape of the head portion promote a static sealing force being exerted on the head portion by fluid within the fluid pipe once the repair plug is in position but minimise any fluid drag which to minimise any lateral force exerted on the repair plug by flowing fluid within the flume pipe.

10. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the peripheral ridge is formed continuously about the repair plug between the head portion and the shaped body of the repair plug.

11. A flume water piping repair system including a resilient repair plug with shape memory and having a head portion for insertion into a puncture in a flume pipe, a shaped body for extending at least partially out of the puncture such that the repair lug is deformed during insertion into a puncture and the shape memory acts to hold the repair plug in place against fluid pressure.

12. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in claim 1 lwherein a peripheral ridge is formed continuously about the repair plug between the head portion and the shaped body of the repair plug

13. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in claim 1 lor claim 12 wherein an adhesive is used to secure the head in the flume pipe.

14. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one claims 11 to 13 wherein the shaped body of the repair plug is of sufficient length to extend out of the puncture once the head portion has been inserted into the flume pipe and is in position abutting an inner surface of the flume pipe.

15. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one claims 11 to 14 wherein the shaped body diverges from the head portion.

16. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one claims 11 to 15 wherein the head portion is at least partially spherical.

17. A flume water piping repair system as claimed in any one claims 11 to 13 wherein the shape of the head portion promote a static sealing force being exerted on the head portion by fluid within the fluid pipe once the repair plug is in position but minimise any fluid drag which to minimise any lateral force exerted on the repair plug by flowing fluid within the flume pipe.