Angularly Oriented Shoulder Surfaces in Pipe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical pipe couplings lack the ability to provide angular flexibility while maintaining fluid-tight integrity, especially when joining pipe elements with circumferential rings, and often impose significant stress on the pipes under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design featuring segments with arcuate keys and shoulder surfaces that are angularly oriented to accommodate pipe elements, allowing for adjustable engagement and deformation to conform to the pipe surfaces, thereby providing flexibility without compromising the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical coupling is designed to provide angular flexibility by allowing pipe elements to rotate or bend relative to each other, then the flexibility and adaptability of the joint is improved, but the fluid-tight integrity of the seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arcuate shoulder surfaces with specific radii of curvature that match the pipe outer surface curvature. This curved geometry allows the seal to conform to the pipe surface while accommodating angular movements, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and seal integrity by using geometric curvature to maintain contact under angular displacement
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling segments are designed with deformable characteristics that allow them to dynamically adjust to angular positions. The arcuate shoulder surfaces are positioned and oriented to maintain sealing contact during angular movement, enabling the system to adapt its configuration while preserving the fluid-tight seal through dynamic geometric adjustment
2Reliability
If a rigid coupling design is used to maintain strong structural integrity and reliable sealing, then the strength and reliability of the joint is improved, but the ability to accommodate dimensional and angular tolerances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate shoulder surfaces with radii greater than the pipe radius create a geometric relationship that naturally accommodates angular misalignment and dimensional variations. This curved contact geometry allows the rigid coupling structure to tolerate angular and dimensional deviations while maintaining reliable sealing contact
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional coupling designs are used to join pipe elements with circumferential rings, then the simplicity of the design is maintained, but the ability to provide angular flexibility without compromising the seal is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces arcuate shoulder surfaces with specific curvature radii as the key geometric feature enabling angular flexibility with maintained seal integrity. This curved surface geometry provides the adaptive capability without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical pipe coupling is formed of segments attached end to end to surround a central space. Each segment has a circumferentially extending cavity facing the central space flanked by arcuate keys which project toward the central space. Two arcuate shoulder surfaces are positioned on each segment. The arcuate shoulder surfaces face the central space and are positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of the cavity between the cavity and the arcuate keys. The arcuate shoulder surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the segments. The coupling is used to couple pipe elements having a circumferential ring located at the ends of the pipe elements. The angular orientation of the arcuate shoulder surfaces provides flexibility to the joint. A method of joining pipe elements having circumferential rings is also disclosed.