Pipe Joint Restraints for Low-Torque Secure Connections
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Summary
Problems
Existing pipe joint restraints require high torque for secure engagement, which is difficult to achieve in outdoor conditions and can lead to seal deflection, and they are not adaptable for different pipe materials and sizes, resulting in complex inventory and installation challenges.
Innovation solutions
The pipe joint restraints feature a gripping element that pivots about a fixed fulcrum relative to the annular gland's centerline, allowing for secure engagement at lower torque levels, with adjustable gripping edges and arms for various materials, and a torque-limiting mechanism to prevent over-tightening.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If conventional pipe joint restraints use friction-based gripping elements, then the pipe connection can be secured, but high torque (65-90 foot-pounds) is required which is difficult to achieve in outdoor conditions and can deflect the pipe
Why choose this principle:
The gripping element is designed to dynamically pivot about a fixed fulcrum in response to hydraulic thrust forces. When thrust forces act on the pipe, the gripping element automatically pivots to increase gripping force, converting the thrust force into enhanced friction without requiring high installation torque. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the connection secure under load while keeping installation simple.
Principle concept:
If conventional pipe joint restraints use friction-based gripping elements, then the pipe connection can be secured, but high torque (65-90 foot-pounds) is required which is difficult to achieve in outdoor conditions and can deflect the pipe
Why choose this principle:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the gripping element by introducing a fixed fulcrum at a specific distance from the pipe centerline. This geometric parameter change creates a mechanical advantage that reduces the torque required for initial engagement while maintaining secure connection under hydraulic loads through the pivoting action.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
The pipe joint restraints feature a gripping element that pivots about a fixed fulcrum relative to the annular gland's centerline, allowing for secure engagement at lower torque levels, with adjustable gripping edges and arms for various materials, and a torque-limiting mechanism to prevent over-tightening.
Abstract
A pipe joint restraint ( 16 ) includes a pocket ( 74 ) having a fulcrum ( 92 ) a fixed distance from the centerline ( 26 ) of an annular retaining gland ( 22 ) and about which a gripping element ( 76 ) pivots to move a gripping edge ( 75 ) toward the centerline ( 26 ) so as to grip a pipe ( 14 ) engaged by the gripping element ( 76 ) in response to thrust forces on the pipe ( 14 ). The length of gripping edge ( 75 ) is selected for the material of pipe ( 14 ). Adjustable element ( 78 ) operatively connects to the gripping element ( 76 ) and fulcrum ( 92 ) to pivot with the gripping element ( 76 ). Adjustable element ( 78 ) and may be torqued to a common, predetermined torque whether the pipe ( 14 ) is metal or polymeric.