Arc Valve Body for Non-Interruptive Pipe Branching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional branching units for drilling into existing pipes require large valve casings, long drill strokes, and deep earth covering, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A branching unit with an arc-shaped or circular valve body that rotates along the pipe's circumference, eliminating the need for separate valve casings and reducing the drill stroke, allowing for shallow earth covering and improved watertight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large valve casing accommodating the valve body is provided separately, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the unit becomes costly and the drill machine gets larger
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is integrated directly into the sealing case structure, eliminating the need for a separate large valve casing. The sealing case itself serves as the valve housing, combining the sealing function and valve operation function into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body moves in the circumferential direction of the existing pipe rather than in the axial direction. This dimensional change allows the valve to operate within the compact sealing case structure without requiring a large separate casing.
2Ease of operation
If the valve body moves up and down at a distance from the existing pipe, then the valve can be operated, but the drill stroke becomes long and the drill machine gets larger
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body moves in the circumferential direction of the existing pipe instead of moving up and down at a distance. This changes the motion dimension from axial to circumferential, allowing the valve to be operated within a compact space close to the existing pipe without requiring a long drill stroke.
3Ease of operation
If the valve body moves up and down, then the valve can be operated, but the operation cap becomes taller and earth covering becomes deeper
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body moves in the circumferential direction rather than vertically, which allows the operation cap to be compact in height. The rotational motion in the circumferential direction enables valve operation without requiring a tall operation cap structure.
4Reliability
If a separate valve casing is provided, then the valve body can be accommodated, but the unit costs more
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing case serves dual functions as both the sealing structure and the valve housing. By integrating these functions into a single component, the number of separate parts is reduced, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining reliable valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing case is designed to perform multiple functions: providing sealing around the existing pipe and serving as the housing for the valve body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated valve casing, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables low-cost, efficient branching without stopping fluid flow, with a shorter drill stroke and reduced earth covering depth, while maintaining effective sealing and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body (5) having an arc shape or a circular shape in cross section which opens and closes a branch hole (28) of the branch pipe portion (27) by rotating along the circumferential direction (R) of the existing pipe (1)
Implementation Method 2
A bending strength of the arc shaped valve body is greater than that of a tabular shaped valve body, so the valve body can be thin.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A branching unit for boring without stopping passage of fluid, which is suitable for forming an opening 11 at a pipe wall 12 by boring a part of the pipe wall 12 of an existing pipe 1 using a drill machine 3 having a hole saw 4 to connect a branch pipe to the existing pipe 1, comprising: a sealing case 20 having plurality of separate casing 21, 22 separated in a circumferential direction R and, a branch pipe portion 27 formed integrally with a first separate casing 21 of the casings 21, 22 , protruding and branching off in the radial direction C; a valve body 5, which is arc shaped or circular shape, rotating between an inner circumferential surface 29 of the sealing case 20 and an outer circumferential surface 13 of the existing pipe 1 to open and close a branch hole 28 of the branch pipe portion 27; and a rotation mechanism 50 rotating the valve body 5.