Anti-Rotation Pipe Connection for Flexible Flange Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe connections require precise alignment and the use of lubricants, leading to increased assembly effort and limited flexibility in orientation, especially for non-rotationally symmetrical elements, and result in reduced reusability and sealing effectiveness due to deformation of seals.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connection system featuring an anti-rotation element that can be rotated relative to the second tubular element in a first state, allowing for flexible alignment and engagement without the need for lubricants, and a clamping ring design that maintains sealing effectiveness even after repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If interlocking teeth are used to prevent rotation, then rotation resistance is improved, but assembly effort increases due to precise alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation function is segmented from the connection function. The first anti-rotation element is integrated with the first pipe element, while the second anti-rotation element is separate and attaches to the second pipe element. This segmentation allows the second anti-rotation element to be rotated independently for alignment, reducing assembly effort while maintaining rotation resistance when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The second anti-rotation element is designed to be rotatable relative to the second pipe element before engagement, providing dynamic adjustment capability. This allows operators to rotate the second anti-rotation element into the correct angular position for alignment with the first anti-rotation element, significantly reducing assembly difficulty compared to fixed interlocking teeth.
2Stability of the object's composition
If interlocking teeth are used to prevent rotation, then rotation resistance is improved, but flexibility in orientation decreases for non-rotationally symmetrical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable second anti-rotation element provides dynamic orientation adjustment capability. For non-rotationally symmetrical pipe elements, operators can rotate the second anti-rotation element to achieve the required angular alignment before engagement, enabling flexible connection orientations that would be impossible with fixed interlocking teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The second anti-rotation element can be preliminarily positioned and rotated to the correct angular orientation before final engagement with the first anti-rotation element. This preliminary alignment action enables flexible orientation adjustment for non-rotationally symmetrical elements, after which the engagement secures the desired orientation.
3Reliability
If seals are deformed during closing to achieve sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but reusability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism replaces traditional deformable rubber seals with a metal-to-metal sealing system using sealing surfaces. The connecting element compresses the sealing surfaces against each other to create the seal, eliminating the need for elastomeric materials that deform and cannot be reused. This mechanical sealing system maintains effective sealing while allowing multiple disassembly and reassembly cycles.
4Ease of operation
If lubricants are applied to conventional pipe connections, then ease of assembly is improved, but contamination and reusability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism replaces traditional deformable rubber seals with a metal-to-metal sealing system using sealing surfaces. The connecting element compresses the sealing surfaces against each other to create the seal, eliminating the need for elastomeric materials that deform and cannot be reused. This mechanical sealing system maintains effective sealing while allowing multiple disassembly and reassembly cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing surfaces are designed to self-align and self-seal through the compression action of the connecting element. The parallel sealing surfaces automatically engage and create the seal without requiring external lubricants or alignment tools, providing contamination-free assembly while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A pipe connection comprising a first pipe element (10), a connecting element (20), and an anti-rotation element (30), wherein the connecting element (20) is configured to tightly connect a second pipe element (40) to the first pipe element (10) via a flange (50). The anti-rotation element (30) is attachable to the second pipe element (40) and is configured to engage with the first pipe element (10) to prevent rotation of the first pipe element (10) relative to the second pipe element (40). In a first state, the anti-rotation element (30) is disengaged from the first pipe element (10) and rotatable relative to the second pipe element (40). In a second state, the anti-rotation element (30) is engaged with the first pipe element (10).In the second state, the first pipe element (10) can be connected to the second pipe element (40) by means of the connecting element (20) via the flange (50) in such a way that the flange (50) and thus the second pipe element (40) are secured against rotation relative to the anti-rotation element (30) and that the anti-rotation element (30) is secured against rotation relative to the first pipe element (10), so that the first pipe element (10) and the second pipe element (40) are secured against rotation relative to each other.