METHOD FOR FIXING THE PROTECTIVE FABRIC ON INSULATION TAPE FOR BURIED PIPES

Abstract

A method for protecting underground pipes by applying three layers of different materials to an outer surface of a pipe is accomplished by wrapping three layers of different materials on the pipe outer surface. The three layers are: The first layer: which surrounds the pipe, is the insulating tape known as cold wrap tape. The second layer: which follows the first layer, made from non-woven synthetic wool, and called the protector. The third layer: the fixing tape made of synthetic fabric that contains fine hooks that can grip tight the second layerthe protectorand prevent it from delamination and falling. Second and third layers act together as Velcro to securely fix and protect the first layer (cold roll tape) from the mechanical damage of soil and tamping over the pipe and UV during the of installation period and before backfilling.

Claims

1. A method for protecting underground pipes by applying three layers of different materials to an outer surface of a pipe, comprising: wrapping a first layer of insulating tape with adhesion ability, known as cold wrap tape, directly around a perimeter of the outer surface of the pipe before burying the pipe, particularly at welded joints, small joints, and pieces such as elbows and branches that are not factory-coated and are only coated on-site; wrapping a second layer of synthetic wool of non-woven fabric, known as a protector, over the first layer; and wrapping a third layer of fabric with fine hooks that grip tightly to bristles of the second layer of synthetic wool of non-woven fabric.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer of insulating tape is applied to areas where one pipe is welded to another and places adjacent to welding sites.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third layer of fabric is configured to grip tightly bristles of a faux wool fabric of the second layer to enhance an overall protection of the pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1: A cross section of the pipe showing the mechanical effects on the protective tape surrounding the pipe and the formation of pockets during backfilling, allowing water to leak.

[0023] FIG. 2: shows a longitudinal section of the pipe and the first insulating layer.

[0024] FIG. 3: Shows how fabric with fine hooks grips the faux wool fabric.

[0025] FIG. 4: shows the method of fixing the Velcro hooks tape on the synthetic wool tape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a pipe (1) in a trench (4) and clearly shows the mechanical effect of the soil on the cold wrap tape (2) (or the insulating tape) surrounding the pipe (1) during the process of backfilling and tamping, as the wide arrows (8) are shown in FIG. 1. The mechanical direction of soil movement during backfilling and its effect on the cold wrap tape (2) especially from the sides of the pipe (1) from the point of its contact with the trench floor (4) where the cold wrap tape moves (2) due to the movement of the backfill downward forming pockets (3)) The sagging of the cold wrap tape (2) is caused by the mechanical action of the backfill.

[0027] To reduce the effect of soil backfilling on the cold wrap tape (2), a non-woven fabric of synthetic faux wool is wrapped (5) called the protector, and the protector (5) is fixed with duct tape pressure sensitive packaging with adhesive from one side adhesive (not shown in the drawings), but weather and Heat from sun and dust lead to weakening the adhesive on the duct tape, thus not tightening the protector (5) and thus weakening the tension of the cold wrap tape (2) on the pipe (1). So, the cold wrap tape (2) is wrapped on the pipes, and it must be protected with a protective layer (5) that protects it from the movement of the surrounding soil, especially during backfilling. It sags and wrinkles forming pockets (3) that allow water to enter to the outer surface of the pipe (1), and with time groundwater leakage, the pipe corrodes, and this leads to pipe ruined (1) and the leakage of what goes through the pipe (1) to the soil.

[0028] To avoid the problem of forming pockets (3), the cold wrap tape (2) should be secured to the pipe (1), and as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe (1) is protected by cold wrap tape (2), and then a layer of non-woven fabric made from synthetic faux wool is wrapped on top of it (5), where this layer performs two functions, the first is to protect the cold wrap tape layer (2) located below it from mechanical damage that the soil may cause during backfill, and thus maintain the quality of the cold wrap tape (2) its integrity which will protect the pipe (1) from damage, as it will also hold the synthetic wool (5) the third layer made of fine fabric hooks (6), where the two layers of synthetic wool (5) and the hooks (6) work as Velcro (FIGS. 3 and 4) to secure the cold wrap tape (2) and the synthetic wool layer (5), thus reducing the damage to the cold wrap tape (2) during backfilling, as the soil will first hit the synthetic wool layer (the protector) (5), which will absorb the stress of the soil and its movement over it and any mechanical operations above the ground after backfilling, such as compacting the ground, for example. Then the tightness of the protective tape (5) or the cold wrap tape (2) will prevent the formation of wrinkles and pockets (3) from which underground water seeps into a pipe (1).

[0029] FIG. 3 shows the installation of the synthetic wool layer (5), and the hook layer (6), where the hooks work to connect with the bristles of the synthetic wool layer (the protector) (5) to secure the synthetic wool fabric (5) in place after it is wrapped on the cold tape (protector) (2). As shown in FIG. 4, the layer of hooks (6) is fixed on the layer of synthetic wool (5) in the positions of the ends and the beginnings often, and some hooks tapes (6) may be used in other places for fixing as needed.