Belled Polymer Pipe Joint Insert for Faster Restrained Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spline-type, restrained pipe joint systems for non-metallic pipes like PVC require separate manufacturing and installation of spline grooves and seals, leading to high manufacturing costs and increased manpower and time for assembly.

Innovation Solution

A polymer pipe with a belled end incorporating an insert device featuring an annular body with a spline groove, which is pre-installed during the belling process, eliminating the need for separate spline grooves and seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate spline grooves and seals are manufactured and installed in conventional pipe joint systems, then the joint structure can be formed, but manufacturing costs and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of separate parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the spline groove and seal into a single integrated insert device that is pre-installed in the pipe end during manufacturing. This merging of previously separate components (spline groove and seal) into one unit reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the required joint structure functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If separate spline grooves and seals are manufactured and installed in conventional pipe joint systems, then the joint structure can be formed, but assembly time and manpower requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly timeVSAvoidnumber of separate parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert device containing both the spline groove and seal is pre-installed in the pipe end during the pipe manufacturing process itself, before the pipe is put into service. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate field assembly operations, significantly reducing assembly time and manpower requirements while maintaining the complexity of the integrated device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces manufacturing costs and assembly time by integrating the spline groove into the insert device, which is pre-installed during the belling process, thereby simplifying the pipe joint assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

forcing a mandrel into the second end, when heated, of the polymer pipe to expand the diameter to the second diameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

cooling the second end of the polymer pipe around the insert device thereby forming the insert recesses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS12203581B2Polymer pipe, a pipe joint insert device, a pipe joint assembly, and methods of forming same

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 WESTLAKE PIPE & FITTINGS CORP

AI summary

A polymer pipe has a length between a first end and a second end. The length and the first end have a first diameter and the second end is a belled end having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. An insert device is received within the second end and has an annular body and a spline groove formed in the annular body and facing radially inward. The insert device is pre-installed in the belled end during the belling process.