Category: Regulation

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Press Release: Pipe Spring LLC Announces Issuance of US Patent for Augmentation of Mechanical Properties of High-Pressure Pipe

For Immediate Release

Pipe Spring LLC Announces Issuance of US Patent for Augmentation of Mechanical Properties of High-Pressure Pipe

November 10th, 2020

Houston, Texas, USA

Pipe Spring LLC is pleased to announce the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent U.S. Patent No. 10830383 titled Augmentation of Mechanical Properties of High-Pressure Pipe.

“We are extremely gratified that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has validated our dedicated effort to innovate and advance the technology of pipeline operations. We launched an effort to improve the mechanical integrity of pipeline infrastructure which delivers so much of the world’s energy. The development goals of this product were to provide a technology to augment and repair pipelines while minimizing unscheduled releases and greenhouse gas emissions. We also wanted to provide greater utility and improved safety for both the public and pipeline stakeholders” stated Molly Laughlin Doran, the Owner of Pipe Spring LLC.

Laughlin Doran added, “This is one of the first significant technology advancements related to pipeline repairs and integrity enhancement of existing pipe in over three decades. This is inventor and Pipe Spring CEO Shawn Laughlin’s second patent related to pipelines and his first with Pipe Spring LLC. He persistently pushed the envelope. The technology provides the performance based reliable engineering test and analyses required by regulation. Regulated operators need only add the technology to their operating and maintenance language and then they are able to move forward with enhancing the integrity of the nation’s critically important pipelines.”

Laughlin Doran continued, “We expect a reasonably swift industry adoption of this technology.  It demonstratively improves safety, protects the environment, and reduces costs to pipeline operators.  Pipe Spring LLC believes that we have an important public service to perform to aggressively promote the adoption of this technology. “

Pipe Spring LLC is a manufacturer of engineered steel laminated fabrications for metal loss defects, pipe augmentation, and strain sensitive conditions on pipe. Pipe Spring™ patented technology involves wrapping the external surface of a pipe with two or more convolutions of a band material with the modulus of the band material matched to that of the pipeline section to create an augmented section of pipe.  More information is available at www.pipespring.net.

Media Relations Contact: Molly Laughlin Doran, Owner, [email protected]

PDF: Press Release

 

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Virtual Trainings and Cost Savings

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

During these uncertain times, it is crucial that the transportation networks that supply our critical industries (like the medical sector) with energy remain operational. This requires that repairs be made when necessary to our pipelines.

One of Pipe Spring LLC’s core values is creating products that install easily and eliminate human error during application. During the development process of our integrity enhancement products and repairs, every effort was made to reduce field variables. We have a product that is simple to install and can be repeated time and time again. The effort that was undertaken during development now allows us to easily transition to completely remote trainings during this COVID-19 pandemic. We are able to provide virtual support 24/7 to our customers and set up instruction for those who need to install Pipe Spring™ units that do not already have an installer, trainer, or subject matter expert manufacturer certification. For our United States clients, this will meet your OQ requirement when a manufacturer certification is needed. For our international clients, we can work with you to satisfy your training requirements as well. We are prepared to offer FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING to the industry to assist during these unprecedented times.

It is also important to note that an installation can be made easily with only two people. Under certain circumstances, a single individual could install a unit by him/herself if needed. Current recommendations to combat COVID-19 advise that people should be in groups of ten people or fewer. We are pleased to be able to meet this recommendation even in routine circumstances.

Additionally, our products are a fraction of the cost of other repair technologies on the market. In the coming months, as we recover from this pandemic, our products will remain the most economical option for our clients.

To set up a virtual training and discuss your repair needs during this difficult time contact us today! We are here to help our industry get through these tough times and make necessary repairs to our infrastructure while remaining as safe as possible.

Be well friends,

Molly Laughlin Doran, Owner

 

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Reliable Engineering Data and Analysis Complete and Now Available

Pipe Spring LLC is pleased to announce the completion of our "Reliable Engineering Data and Analysis" packet. This package is available for download on our website for potential customers and friends of Pipe Spring LLC. The document is password protected under our testing page. If you would like to access the full scope of testing information please contact [email protected]. This document contains everything your organization needs for regulatory review of our products.

Executive Summary

49 CFR 192.713 contains a requirement that a pipeline defect be: “Repaired by a method that reliable engineering tests and analyses show can permanently restore the serviceability of the pipe.”

Pipe Spring LLC has developed a new product and new technology, we have followed the industry precedents for engineering critical assessments and design as well as addressed the testing and analysis requirements. Common repair methods have included full encirclement welded steel sleeves (type “A”  and type “B”), and two basic forms of composite repairs, pre-cured laminated sleeves, and wet applied resin and fiber wraps. In addition, various methods have been utilized in an attempt to quickly share stress or place the pipe surface in compression to address strain dependent concerns.

Pipe Spring™ has been designed after a review of the mitigation principles with a goal of maximizing pipeline operator performance for a wide range of stress and strain dependent concerns. The technical goals of this effort were:

  • Improve axial performance
  • Mitigate strain dependent concerns via elimination of response lags
  • Provide non-degrading strength sufficient for all application
  • Provide useful effective modulus of elasticity matched to pipe steel
  • Eliminate or minimize cyclical concerns of welds or composites
  • Provide a reinforcement that mitigates potential future third party damage to the reinforcement.

The compendium serves as documentation of the reliable engineering test and analysis. The document contains sections containing:

  • Engineering Critical Assessments (ECA)
    • These follow the traditional industry precedents and have been updated where regulation has changed in recognition of industry efforts and improved analysis over the decades. The results provide operators with flexibility to incorporate various assessment methods for defects within the repair assessment. These assessments cover the traditional stress-based metal loss defects as well as strain dependent concerns. Site specific or bespoke ECA’s which incorporate steel toughness or pipe fatigue issues may be required for some strain dependent concerns.
  • Component Testing
  • Full Scale Burst Testing
  • An Appendix of Additional Internal Evaluations

Conclusions:

The Pipe Spring™ system succeeded in restoring the damaged pipe past its theoretical failure pressure. The use of a steel laminated coil eliminates the degradation of material property concerns associated with composites. The compressive strength of the filler exceeds the industry standards. The creep and cyclical testing for the adhesive indicate that the system is ideal for strain dependent and cyclical concerns. The design of the system without welding eliminates hot work permits and safety concerns, as well as cracking and fatigue issues associated with welds. The response of the system demonstrated at only 50 micro-strain in unrepaired based pipe and the modulus of elasticity provide the basis for analysis of fracture and fatigue issues. Cyclical testing was stopped with no failure after 10 million cycles at 50% of ultimate lap shear strength of the adhesive.

The required engineering tests and analysis have been conducted. The results indicate performance metrics superior to other repair or mitigation methods and results in enhanced pipeline integrity. The system provides pipeline operators with lower procurement costs, superior performance, and lower long term total costs.