Pipes for Carrying Water

Abstract

A water delivery pipe made from PVC or PVCO and having an inner surface which is rifled. The inner surface of the pipe preferably includes a graphene material. The pipe has improved anti-bacterial properties such that the formation of bacterial biofilms is eliminated or reduced.

Methods of making the pipe are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A water delivery pipe made from PVC or PVCO and having an inner surface which is rifled.

2. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises a graphene material.

3. A pipe according claim 2, wherein the graphene material is graphene or graphene oxide.

4. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein the pipe has a circular or rectangular cross section.

5. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface comprises grooves and lands arranged in a spiral configuration around the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

6. A pipe according to claim 5, wherein the grooves are rectangular in cross section.

7. A pipe according to claim 6, wherein the grooves are square in cross-section.

8. A pipe according to claim 5, wherein the grooves are semi-lunar in cross-section.

9. A pipe according to claim 5, wherein the grooves are semi-triangular in cross-section.

10. A pipe according to claim 5, wherein the grooves are octagonal in cross-section.

11. A pipe according to claim 5, wherein the grooves form a series of sawtooth wave-like arrangements having positive and negative ramps.

12. A pipe according to claim 11, wherein the positive ramps are concave in shape and the negative ramps have steep edges which are perpendicular to the wavelength.

13. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein rectangular shaped holes or punctures are provided along the pipe to which are attached drinking nipples.

14. A pipe according to claim 13, wherein the nipples are coated with graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene related material.

15. A method of making a water delivery pipe made from PVC or PVCO and having an inner surface which is rifled, the method comprising providing a PVC or PVCO pipe and rifling the inner surface of the pipe.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the pipe is made by injection moulding or 3D printing.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein, after the inner surface of the pipe is rifled, a graphene related material is applied thereto.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the graphene material is applied to the inner surface of the pipe by a coating or doping process.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the pipe is made by a 3D printing process which comprises successive printing of PVC or PVCO layers, rifled PVC or PVCO layers and graphene material layers.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein the pipe is made by injection moulding a mixture comprising PVC or PVCO and graphene material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0040] FIG. 1i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of a three-grooved square profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 1ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of an eight-grooved square profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of three-grooved rectangular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of an eight-grooved rectangular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 3i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of a 3-grooved semi-triangular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 3ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of eight-grooved semi-triangular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 4i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of three-grooved octagonal profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 4ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of eight-grooved octagonal profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 5i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of three-grooved semi-circular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 5ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of eight-grooved semi-circular profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 6i is a diagrammatic representation of cross sections and longitudinal sections of a wave profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention; and

[0051] FIG. 6ii is a diagrammatic representation of cross section showing details of Wave-like embodiments of a wave profile graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material containing rifled PVC or PVCO pipe in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1i and 1ii of the accompanying drawings, there are shown examples of square profile rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. In the present invention, the cross-section of the outer surface of the square profile of the said pipes, Ai-ii and Bi-ii, may either be a rectangular cross-section Ai-ii or round cross-section Bi-ii. On the other hand, the inner surface of the said pipes, which faces the bore of the said pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprise square-shaped grooves 3a-b and 4a-b that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 5a-b and 6a-b. The twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves in this square profile varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0054] The square profile may have three grooves 3a and 4a or eight grooves 3b and 4b or any other number of grooves, depending on the dimensions of the pipes. The grooves 3a-b and 4a-b may comprise U-shaped 3 walled (in cross section) grooves comprising of one horizontal wall 7a-b and 8a-b that is perpendicular to two parallel vertical walls 9a-b and 10a-b. The walls of the grooves may be of equal length. The dimensions of the grooves vary according to the dimensions of the pipe.

[0055] The longitudinal sections of the square profile, Ci-ii and Di-ii, show the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The continuous spiral square shaped grooves facing the bore axis lines are shown at 11a-b and 12a-b. The square shaped cross section of the said grooves are also shown.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2i and 2ii of the accompanying drawings, there is shown examples of the rectangular profile rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The cross-section of the outer surface of the rectangular profile of the pipes, Ei-ii and Fi-ii, may either be a rectangular cross-section Ei-ii or round cross-section Fi-ii. The inner surface of the pipes, which faces the bore of the pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprise rectangular-shaped grooves 15a-b and 16a-b that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 17a-b and 18a-b. The twist rate of these continuous spiral grooves varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0057] The said rectangular profile may have three grooves 15a and 16a or eight grooves 15b and 16b or any other number of grooves, depending on the dimensions of the pipes. The grooves 15a-b and 16a-b may comprise U-shaped three-walled (in cross section) grooves comprising one horizontal wall 19a-b and 20a-b that is perpendicular to two parallel vertical walls 21a-b and 22a-b. The horizontal walls 19a-b and 20a-b of the grooves are longer in dimension than the vertical walls 21a-b and 22a-b. The dimensions of the grooves vary according to the dimensions of the pipes.

[0058] The longitudinal sections of the rectangular profile, Gi-ii and Hi-ii, show the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The continuous spiral rectangular shaped grooves facing the bore axis lines are shown at 23a-b and 24a-b. The rectangular shaped cross sections of the grooves are also shown, the horizontal wall being longer in dimension than the vertical walls.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 3i and 3ii of the accompanying drawings, there is provided examples of the semi-triangular profile of the rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The cross-section of the outer surface of the pipes, li-ii and Ji-ii, may either be a rectangular cross-section Ii-ii or round cross-section Ji-ii. The inner surface of the pipes, which faces the bore of the pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprises convergent three-walled (or half triangle) shaped 27a-b and 28a-b grooves that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 29a-b and 30a-b. The twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves in this semi-triangular profile varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0060] The semi-triangular profile may have three grooves 27a and 28a or eight grooves 27b and 28b or any other number of grooves, depending on the dimensions of the pipes. The grooves 27a-b and 28a-b, may comprise U-shaped three-walled (in cross section) grooves comprising one horizontal wall 31a-b and 32a-b that connects to two vertical walls 33a-b and 34a-b which are at acute angle forming a semi-triangular shape. The dimensions of the grooves vary according to the dimensions of the said pipe.

[0061] The longitudinal sections of the semi-triangular profile, Ki-ii and Li-ii, show the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The continuous spiral semi-triangular shaped grooves facing the bore axis lines are shown at 35a-b and 36a-b. The semi-triangular shaped cross section of the said grooves are also shown.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 4i and 4ii of the accompanying drawings, there is provided examples of the octagonal profile of the rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The cross-section of the outer surface of the pipes, Mi-ii and Ni-ii, may either be a rectangular cross-section Mi-ii or round cross-section Ni-ii. The inner surface, which faces the bore of the said pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprises rectangular shaped grooves 39a-b and 40a-b that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 41a-b and 42a-b. The twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves in this octagonal profile varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0063] The octagonal profile may have, for instance, three grooves 39a and 40a or 8 grooves 39b and 40b 4b or any other number of grooves, depending on the dimensions of the pipes. The grooves 39a-b and 40a-b may comprise U-shaped three-walled (in cross section) grooves comprising one horizontal wall 43a-b and 44a-b and two vertical walls 45a-b and 46a-b which are at obtuse angles to the horizontal wall 43a-b and 44a-b. The dimensions of the grooves vary according to the dimensions of the pipes.

[0064] The longitudinal sections of the octagonal profile, Oi-ii and Pi-ii, show the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The continuous spiral rectangular shaped grooves facing the bore axis lines are shown at 47a-b and 48a-b. The rectangular shaped cross-section of the grooves are also shown, the vertical walls being at obtuse angles to the horizontal wall in accordance to the present invention.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5i and 5ii of the accompanying drawings, there is provided examples of the semi-circular profile of the rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The cross-section of the outer surface of the semi-circular profile, Qi-ii and Ri-ii, may either be a rectangular cross-section Qi-ii or a round cross-section Ri-ii. The inner surface of the pipes, which faces the bore of the said pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprise semi-lunar shaped grooves 51a-b and 52a-b that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 53a-b and 54a-b. The twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves in this semi-circular profile varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous spiral grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0066] The semi-circular profile may have three grooves 51a and 52a or eight grooves 51b and 52b or any other number of grooves, depending on the dimensions of the said pipes. The said grooves 51a-b and 52a-b, may comprise semi-lunar U-shaped (in cross section) grooves 55a-b and 56a-b. The dimensions of the said semi-lunar shaped grooves vary according to the dimensions of the said pipe.

[0067] The longitudinal sections of the semi-circular profile, Si-ii and Ti-ii, show the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene related materials. The continuous spiral semi-lunar shaped grooves facing the bore axis lines are shown at 57a-b and 58a-b.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 6i of the accompanying drawings, there is provided examples of cross sections and longitudinal sections of the said wave profile of the rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The cross-section of the outer surface of the wave profile of the pipes, U and V, may either be a rectangular cross-section U or round cross-section V. The inner surface of the pipes, which faces the bore of the said pipes, comprises graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material and comprises continuous curvatures and grooves 70 and 71 that continuously run throughout the length of the pipe in a spiral motion around the bore axis line 72. The twist rate of the said continuous curvatures and grooves in this wave profile varies including, but not limited to, 1:5 inch or 1:10 inch or 1:48 inch constant twist rates or any other constant twist rates. Alternatively, the twist rate of the said continuous curvatures and grooves may have a gain twist rate.

[0069] The wave profile comprises the curvatures and grooves that cause the formation of sawtooth series of wave-like embodiments 70 and 71 in a spiral pattern throughout the inner surface of the said pipes. The said spiral wave-like embodiments could be arranged around the bore axis line 72 in a clockwise or anti-clockwise pattern. The number of the said curvatures and grooves depends on the dimensions of the said pipes. The dimensions of the said wave-like embodiments vary according to the dimensions of the said pipe.

[0070] The longitudinal section of the wave profile W shows the rifled PVC or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The continuous spiral wave-like shaped embodiments facing the bore axis lines are shown at 73.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6ii of the accompanying drawings, there is provided examples of cross sections of the wave profile of the rifled PVO or PVCO pipes that comprise graphene or graphene oxide or any other graphene material. The shape of each of the said wave-like embodiments comprises four main elements: trough 74, crest 75, wave-height and wavelength. The trough 74 is the lowest point of the wave, the crest 75 is the highest point of the wave, the wave-height is the line connecting the trough to the crest and forms the leading surface 76 of the wave, and the wave-length is the horizontal line 77 connecting the tips of two consecutive waves. The tips of the wave crests are pointed towards the centre of the pipe. The shape of the positive ramp is concave with reference to the horizontal wave-length line while the negative ramp forms a steep edge that is perpendicular to the wavelength.