Ball Joint Pipe Lining for Abrasive Wear Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pipe connections with truncated conical seals used for transporting abrasive particles, such as dredging spoils, suffer from wear due to particle passage and turbulence, leading to potential leaks as the seal's surface is exposed and compromised.
Innovation Solution
A lining is attached to the outermost shell part, extending over the outer surface of the inner shell part, creating a gap that reduces exposure to abrasive particles and turbulence, with a flow guide optionally used to further stabilize the flow and protect the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer surface of the inner shell part is exposed to allow seal displacement, then the seal can function properly, but the surface is subject to wear from abrasive particles and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
A lining is introduced as an intermediary element between the abrasive dredging spoils and the inner shell part's outer surface. The lining extends over the outer surface of the inner shell part, creating a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between abrasive particles and the sealing surface, thereby reducing wear while maintaining seal functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe connection is segmented into distinct functional zones: the lining serves as a protective layer, the seal provides sealing functionality, and the flow guide directs fluid flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others
2Reliability
If the seal is placed in direct contact with the inner shell part surface, then sealing is effective, but turbulence in dredging spoils increases wear on the seal surface
Solution Approach 1:
The lining acts as a mediator that extends over the inner shell part's outer surface, creating a protected interface for seal displacement. This intermediary layer shields the seal from direct exposure to turbulent abrasive flow, extending the seal's service life while maintaining its sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The lining is pre-installed on the inner shell part before the seal is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that the protective barrier is already in place, preventing wear on the seal surface from the beginning of operation and extending the overall duration of effective sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A ball joint (1) for a pipe connection comprises shell parts (3, 4) surrounding one another in a sealing manner, which each define a respective longitudinal centre line and which are rotatable in relation to one another between an aligned position, in which the longitudinal centre lines coincide, and a rotated position, in which the longitudinal centre lines form an angle with one another which differs from zero. The shell parts together enclose an axial passage which extends between the connecting pieces or sleeves (20), (21) of the shell parts (3, 4) facing away from one another. In the outermost shell part (4), a lining (13) is provided, of which the inner lining surface (14) has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the outer surface (5) of the inner shell part (3).