A U-shaped combined compensator

Abstract

This application discloses a U-shaped combined compensator, including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, as well as a first elbow, a second elbow, a first corrugated compensator, a second corrugated compensator, and a U-shaped pipe. The inlet pipe, first elbow, first corrugated compensator, U-shaped pipe, second corrugated compensator, second elbow, and outlet pipe are connected sequentially. The inlet pipe and outlet pipe are located on the same horizontal plane, and the first and second corrugated compensators are located on the same side. This application, through the combined structure of "U-shaped pipe + double corrugated compensator," can simultaneously absorb axial, radial, and angular displacements, overcoming the limitation of traditional compensators that can only compensate in one direction. The double compensator disperses stress loads, and combined with the auxiliary deformation of the U-shaped pipe, it can extend the product's service life, reduce maintenance frequency, and adapt to installation in confined spaces, making it particularly suitable for pipeline layouts with multiple expansion joints and complex routes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of fire pipeline compensation devices, and in particular relates to a U-shaped combined compensator. Background Technology

[0002] In fire protection piping systems, pipes at expansion joints experience significant thermal expansion and contraction due to changes in ambient temperature, requiring compensators to absorb displacement and prevent pipe rupture. Current technology often uses single-corrugated compensators at expansion joints, with the core components being the corrugated pipe and guide pipe, primarily relying on the axial expansion and contraction of the corrugated pipe to absorb unidirectional displacement. However, this type of single-corrugated compensator suffers from insufficient multi-directional displacement handling capability, only absorbing displacement along the axial direction. It cannot adapt to radial or angular offsets caused by foundation settlement, installation errors, etc., easily leading to uneven stress on the compensator. Furthermore, under long-term unidirectional expansion and contraction cycles, the corrugated pipe units are prone to fatigue cracks due to stress concentration, typically resulting in a service life of less than 5 years, increasing maintenance costs. For complex piping systems (such as multi-bend, confined space pipework in building mezzanines), single compensators lack sufficient flexibility and are difficult to match complex displacement requirements.

[0003] Therefore, developing a combined compensator that can adapt to multi-directional displacement, has excellent fatigue resistance, and is widely applicable has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a U-shaped combined compensator, including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, as well as a first elbow, a second elbow, a first corrugated compensator, a second corrugated compensator, and a U-shaped pipe. The inlet pipe, the first elbow, the first corrugated compensator, the U-shaped pipe, the second corrugated compensator, the second elbow, and the outlet pipe are connected sequentially. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are located on the same horizontal plane, and the first corrugated compensator and the second corrugated compensator are located on the same side.

[0005] Preferably, the system also includes a third corrugated compensator and a fourth corrugated compensator, wherein the third corrugated compensator is disposed between the inlet pipe and the first elbow, and the fourth corrugated compensator is disposed between the outlet pipe and the second elbow.

[0006] Preferably, both the first and second corrugated compensators include a bellows, and a flange is fixedly installed at both ends of the bellows. The two flanges are connected by a number of adjusting devices arranged on the outside of the bellows.

[0007] Preferably, the adjusting device is a movable adjusting device, including an outer cylinder and an inner rod, wherein the inner rod can slide relative to the outer cylinder;

[0008] The inner rod includes a nut and an inner rod body. The inner rod body includes a sliding groove section, an end section, and a transition section disposed between the sliding groove section and the end section. The surface of the sliding groove section is provided with a sliding groove.

[0009] The outer cylinder includes a nut and an outer cylinder body. An elastic component is provided inside the outer cylinder. The elastic component controls the embedding depth of the inner rod body by its own elastic deformation. The outer cylinder body is provided with a slider that cooperates with the slide groove. The slider is embedded in the slide groove.

[0010] Preferably, the outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior, and the interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is provided with a first elastic element and a second elastic element. The first elastic element is fixed near the slot, and the second elastic element is fixed at the other end away from the slot.

[0011] The sliding section slides in the first chamber, and the end section slides in the second chamber. The two ends of the end section abut against the first elastic member and the second elastic member, respectively.

[0012] Preferably, the outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior, and the interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber is provided with a third elastic element, and the second chamber is provided with a fourth elastic element. The third elastic element and the fourth elastic element are both fixed near the slot.

[0013] The sliding section slides in the first chamber, the end section slides in the second chamber, the third elastic member abuts against the sliding section, the fourth elastic member abuts against the end section, and the transition section passes through the third elastic member and the fourth elastic member.

[0014] Preferably, the first elbow and the second elbow are 90-degree stamped elbows, made of the same material as the U-shaped tube, and the inner wall of the elbow is polished with a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm.

[0015] Preferably, the inner wall of the U-shaped tube is provided with a polytetrafluoroethylene anti-corrosion coating.

[0016] Preferably, a drain valve is welded to the lowest point of the U-shaped tube.

[0017] Preferably, the U-shaped tube is provided with a removable filter screen, which is located at the lowest point of the U-shaped tube.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] This application utilizes a combined structure of "U-tube + double corrugated compensator" to simultaneously absorb axial, radial, and angular displacements, overcoming the limitation of traditional compensators that can only compensate in one direction. The double compensator disperses stress loads, and combined with the auxiliary deformation of the U-tube, it can extend the product's service life, reduce maintenance frequency, and adapt to installation in confined spaces, making it particularly suitable for pipeline layouts with multiple expansion joints and complex routes. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the corrugated compensator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the inner rod structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the outer cylinder of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the adjusting device of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the outer cylinder of this utility model.

[0028] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0029] 1-Inlet pipe; 2-Outlet pipe; 3-First elbow; 4-Second elbow; 51-First corrugated compensator; 52-Second corrugated compensator; 53-Third corrugated compensator; 54-Fourth corrugated compensator; 6-U-shaped pipe; 7-Corrugated pipe; 8-Flange; 9-Adjusting device; 91-Outer cylinder; 911-Outer cylinder body; 912-Elastic component; 913-Slider; 914-First chamber; 915-Second chamber; 916-Slot; 917-First elastic element; 918-Second elastic element; 919-Third elastic element; 920-Fourth elastic element; 92-Inner rod; 921-Inner rod body; 922-Slide section; 923-End section; 924-Transition section; 925-Slide groove; 93-Nut. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] A U-shaped combined compensator includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and also includes a first elbow, a second elbow, a first corrugated compensator, a second corrugated compensator, and a U-shaped pipe. The inlet pipe, the first elbow, the first corrugated compensator, the U-shaped pipe, the second corrugated compensator, the second elbow, and the outlet pipe are connected in sequence. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are located on the same horizontal plane, and the first corrugated compensator and the second corrugated compensator are located on the same side.

[0036] The inlet pipe, first elbow, first corrugated compensator, U-shaped pipe, second corrugated compensator, second elbow, and outlet pipe are sequentially and sealed together to form a closed fluid channel. The inlet pipe and outlet pipe are located on the same horizontal plane, and the first and second corrugated compensators are symmetrically arranged on the same side of the U-shaped pipe, forming a "U-shaped pipe + double compensator" combination structure.

[0037] U-shaped pipes are made of austenitic stainless steel (such as 304 or 316L), which has excellent corrosion resistance and toughness and can absorb radial displacement through its own deformation. The inner wall is covered with a 0.2-0.5mm thick polytetrafluoroethylene anti-corrosion coating, which reduces water flow resistance and prevents chloride ions in fire water from corroding the pipe.

[0038] The first and second corrugated compensators can be existing corrugated compensators, both with a symmetrical structure, each containing 3-5 layers of corrugated units. The corrugation height of each unit is 15-20mm, and the corrugation spacing is 25-30mm. This structural design allows the axial compensation of a single compensator to reach 50-100mm, and through the synergistic effect of the two compensators, the axial stress can be distributed to both components, reducing the load on a single compensator. Flange connections are provided at both ends of the compensators, and high-temperature resistant nitrile rubber gaskets are installed between the flanges and the pipe connection surfaces to ensure sealing under high-temperature fire water conditions.

[0039] Both the first and second elbows are 90° stamped elbows, made of the same material as the U-shaped pipe, with polished inner walls (surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm), which can reduce turbulence when water flows through the elbows and reduce local head loss.

[0040] The working principle of this application is as follows: When the fire-fighting pipeline undergoes axial displacement due to temperature changes, the corrugated units of the first and second corrugated compensators absorb most of the displacement through stretching or compression, and the symmetrical structure of the double compensators ensures uniform distribution of axial stress; when the pipeline undergoes radial displacement due to foundation settlement, the bent section of the U-shaped pipe undergoes elastic deformation, which can absorb the radial offset; when the pipeline experiences slight angular deflection, the connection node between the U-shaped pipe and the elbow adapts to the angle change through slight rotation, avoiding rigid stress.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment also includes a third corrugated compensator and a fourth corrugated compensator. The third corrugated compensator is configured between the inlet pipe and the first elbow, and the fourth corrugated compensator is configured between the outlet pipe and the second elbow.

[0043] The third and fourth corrugated compensators can be connected using the same flange connection as the first and second corrugated compensators. High-temperature resistant nitrile rubber gaskets are also installed between the flanges to ensure sealing performance.

[0044] The main purpose of adding the third and fourth corrugated compensators is to further enhance the axial displacement absorption capacity of the entire U-shaped combined compensator, while also improving the flexibility and impact resistance of the pipeline system under complex working conditions. When the pipeline experiences significant axial displacement due to drastic temperature changes, the third and fourth corrugated compensators can work in conjunction with the first and second corrugated compensators to share the displacement, further reducing the stress load on individual corrugated compensators, minimizing fatigue wear, and extending the overall service life of the device. When the pipeline system is subjected to water flow impact or external vibration, the two additional corrugated compensators can act as buffers, reducing the impact and vibration on the pipeline and other components, and improving system stability. For pipeline systems with long installation lengths or complex displacement variations, this design better adapts to displacement requirements at different locations, expanding the applicability of the U-shaped combined compensator.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] In this embodiment, in order to further improve the performance of the first and second corrugated compensators, a combined structure of "corrugated pipe + double flange + external adjustment device" is adopted to achieve a dual improvement in the controllability of the compensator's expansion and contraction and structural stability.

[0047] The bellows is welded to the flanges at both ends to ensure the connection strength can withstand a 1.6MPa water pressure test without leakage. The flange end face is machined with a sealing groove, which, together with the sealing gasket, forms a double sealing structure.

[0048] The distribution principle of the regulating device is as follows: when the nominal diameter of the corrugated pipe is ≤ DN100, there are 3 regulating devices, which are distributed in an equilateral triangle; when the diameter is > DN100, there are 4-6 regulating devices, which are evenly distributed in a circle, and the distance error between adjacent devices does not exceed 5mm to ensure balanced force.

[0049] More specifically, the adjusting device is a movable adjusting device, including an outer cylinder and an inner rod, the inner rod being slidable relative to the outer cylinder. The inner rod includes a nut and an inner rod body, the inner rod body including a groove section, an end section, and a transition section disposed between the groove section and the end section, the surface of the groove section being provided with a groove; the outer cylinder includes a nut and an outer cylinder body, the interior of the outer cylinder being provided with an elastic component, the elastic component controlling the embedding depth of the inner rod body by its own elastic deformation, the outer cylinder body being provided with a slider that mates with the groove, the slider being embedded in the groove.

[0050] The inner diameter of the outer cylinder is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner rod body to ensure that the inner rod can slide smoothly axially without radial wobble. Both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner rod are equipped with flange connections, which are fixed to the two flanges of the compensator respectively.

[0051] The groove on the inner rod is a through groove along the axial direction; the transition section and the end section are both cylindrical structures.

[0052] The elastic component uses a helical spring made of spring steel, which can provide elastic force and automatically adjust the inner rod embedment depth according to the pipe displacement.

[0053] When the pipeline is displaced, the expansion and contraction of the bellows causes the two flanges to move relative to each other, causing the inner rod to slide inside the outer cylinder: the slider slides in the groove to guide and prevent the component from rotating; the elastic component generates a reverse elastic force through compression or elongation, which allows a certain range of displacement and provides rigid support when the displacement reaches a threshold, avoiding excessive deformation of the bellows.

[0054] Example 4

[0055] In this embodiment, based on Embodiment 3, a method for assembling the inner rod and the outer cylinder is provided:

[0056] The outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior. The interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is provided with a first elastic element and a second elastic element. The first elastic element is fixed near the slot, and the second elastic element is fixed at the other end away from the slot.

[0057] The sliding section slides in the first chamber, and the end section slides in the second chamber. The two ends of the end section abut against the first elastic element and the second elastic element, respectively.

[0058] By dividing the interior of the outer cylinder into a first chamber, a second chamber, and a slot, and in conjunction with the first and second elastic elements, the buffering performance and displacement control accuracy of the adjustment device are further improved, adapting to high-frequency, small-amplitude pipeline vibrations.

[0059] When the pipe contracts axially, the inner rod slides deeper into the second chamber, and the end section compresses the second elastic element. The elastic force increases with the increase of displacement until the end section touches the bottom of the second chamber. When the pipe extends axially, the inner rod slides into the first chamber, and the end section compresses the first elastic element. At the same time, the transition section approaches the slot to form a mechanical limit, providing double protection to prevent the bellows from working beyond its range.

[0060] Example 5

[0061] In this embodiment, unlike Embodiment 4, another method of fitting the inner rod and outer cylinder is provided based on Embodiment 3:

[0062] The outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior. The interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber is provided with a third elastic element, and the second chamber is provided with a fourth elastic element. Both the third elastic element and the fourth elastic element are fixed near the slot.

[0063] The sliding section slides in the first chamber, the end section slides in the second chamber, the third elastic member abuts against the sliding section, the fourth elastic member abuts against the end section, and the transition section passes through the third elastic member and the fourth elastic member.

[0064] However, the layout of the elastic element is changed to "the first chamber is equipped with the third elastic element and the second chamber is equipped with the fourth elastic element", and both are close to the slot. The design of the elastic element through the transition section achieves symmetrical buffering of bidirectional displacement, which is suitable for working conditions where the displacement direction changes alternately.

[0065] The third and fourth elastic elements are respectively fitted onto the slot sides of the first and second chambers. The diameter of the transition section is smaller than the inner diameter of the elastic element, ensuring that the inner rod can smoothly pass through the elastic element when sliding. When the inner rod slides deeper, the groove section compresses the third elastic element, and the fourth elastic element provides the pulling force to pull the end section; when the inner rod slides outward, the end section compresses the fourth elastic element, and the third elastic element provides the pulling force to pull the groove section.

[0066] Example 6

[0067] In this embodiment, a drain valve is welded to the lowest point of the U-shaped pipe. Due to its structural characteristics, the U-shaped pipe is prone to accumulating impurities (such as rust and silt) from fire-fighting water at its lowest point. Long-term accumulation can wear down the inner wall of the corrugated pipe and breed bacteria. The drain valve can periodically remove impurities, ensuring pipeline flow efficiency and extending the life of the compensator.

[0068] The drain valve is a copper ball valve with a nominal diameter that matches the U-shaped pipe. The sealing surface is made of polytetrafluoroethylene to ensure no leakage when closed.

[0069] Furthermore, a removable filter screen is installed inside the U-shaped tube, located at the lowest point of the tube. This removable filter screen at the lowest point intercepts impurities before they enter the drain valve, preventing blockage or entry into the bellows compensator, thus providing dual protection through filtration and drainage. The filter screen reduces the risk of drain valve blockage, extends valve lifespan, and prevents long-term scale buildup inside the U-shaped tube, reducing the corrosion rate of the pipe's inner wall.

[0070] The filter screen is made of 304 stainless steel woven mesh, with the mesh size adjusted according to actual conditions. The frame is a ring structure of the same material, fitting snugly against the inner wall of the U-shaped tube. The filter screen is connected to the inner wall of the U-shaped tube by clips or bolts. To disassemble, simply close the drain valve and loosen the fasteners to remove it for cleaning or replacement.

[0071] The foregoing disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described above. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this application, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0072] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0073] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A U-shaped combined compensator comprising a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe, characterized in that, It also includes a first elbow, a second elbow, a first corrugated compensator, a second corrugated compensator, and a U-shaped pipe. The inlet pipe, the first elbow, the first corrugated compensator, the U-shaped pipe, the second corrugated compensator, the second elbow, and the outlet pipe are connected in sequence. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are located on the same horizontal plane, and the first corrugated compensator and the second corrugated compensator are located on the same side.

2. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a third corrugated compensator and a fourth corrugated compensator, the third corrugated compensator being disposed between the inlet pipe and the first elbow, and the fourth corrugated compensator being disposed between the outlet pipe and the second elbow.

3. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 1, characterized in that Both the first and second corrugated compensators include a bellows, and a flange is fixedly installed at both ends of the bellows. The two flanges are connected by several adjusting devices arranged on the outside of the bellows.

4. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjusting device is a movable adjusting device, including an outer cylinder and an inner rod, wherein the inner rod can slide relative to the outer cylinder; The inner rod includes a nut and an inner rod body. The inner rod body includes a sliding groove section, an end section, and a transition section disposed between the sliding groove section and the end section. The surface of the sliding groove section is provided with a sliding groove. The outer cylinder includes a nut and an outer cylinder body. An elastic component is provided inside the outer cylinder. The elastic component controls the embedding depth of the inner rod body by its own elastic deformation. The outer cylinder body is provided with a slider that cooperates with the slide groove. The slider is embedded in the slide groove.

5. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior. The interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is provided with a first elastic element and a second elastic element. The first elastic element is fixed near the slot, and the second elastic element is fixed at the other end away from the slot. The sliding section slides in the first chamber, and the end section slides in the second chamber. The two ends of the end section abut against the first elastic member and the second elastic member, respectively.

6. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer cylinder has a through hole leading to the interior. The interior of the outer cylinder includes a first chamber and a second chamber. A slot is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber is provided with a third elastic element, and the second chamber is provided with a fourth elastic element. The third elastic element and the fourth elastic element are both fixed near the slot. The sliding section slides in the first chamber, the end section slides in the second chamber, the third elastic member abuts against the sliding section, the fourth elastic member abuts against the end section, and the transition section passes through the third elastic member and the fourth elastic member.

7. The U-shaped combined compensator of claim 1, wherein, The first elbow and the second elbow are 90-degree stamped elbows, made of the same material as the U-shaped tube, and the inner wall of the elbows is polished with a surface roughness Ra≤0.8μm.

8. The U-shaped combined compensator of claim 1, wherein, The inner wall of the U-shaped tube is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene for corrosion protection.

9. The U-shaped combined compensator of claim 1, wherein, A drain valve is welded at the lowest point of the U-shaped tube.

10. A U-shaped combined compensator according to claim 9, characterized in that The U-shaped tube is equipped with a removable filter screen, which is located at the lowest point of the U-shaped tube.

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