Bellows Pipe Component With Hinged Support for Pressure and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe components face challenges in achieving both flexibility and pressure stability, particularly in media-conveying systems, where they often require separate seals and are limited by material constraints and installation space.
Innovation Solution
A pipe component design featuring a tubular support body with axially spaced, circumferentially extending segments connected by hinges, which provides axial and angular flexibility while maintaining pressure resistance, and is embedded in a fluid-tight casing made of elastic materials, allowing for adjustable mechanical properties and reduced need for separate seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid support body is used to ensure pressure stability, then pressure resistance is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to system tolerances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into multiple axially spaced segments that can move independently relative to each other, allowing the structure to accommodate system tolerances and relative movements while maintaining pressure resistance through the distributed segment architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The support body incorporates dynamic elements including hinges and deformation regions that enable axial and angular flexibility, allowing the rigid support structure to adapt to relative movements between connected components while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If separate seals are used to ensure fluid-tightness, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support body and sealing function are merged into a single integrated structure where the support body itself provides sealing capability through its design, eliminating the need for separate seal components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for pressure resistance, enables flexibility through hinges, and ensures fluid-tightness through integrated sealing features, reducing the need for additional specialized components
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 design ensures flexible and pressure-resistant pipe components with enhanced mechanical properties, reduced material exposure to environmental influences, and cost-effective production, suitable for various media-conveying systems with improved sealing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
axially spaced apart, at least partially circumferentially extending segments that, along the length extension of the support body, are connected by one or a plurality of hinges
Implementation Method 2
The casing can be comprised of an arbitrary material that is fluid-tight for the intended use. Preferably, the casing can be comprised of a material that is more elastic than the support body and provides the movability and fluid-tightness of the pipe component
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe component has a casing embodied as a folded bellows with folds. A tubular support body has an outer circumference and a length extension in a direction of a center line of the tubular support body. The tubular support body is embedded in the casing and supports the casing. The tubular support body has at least one stabilization element and the at least one stabilization element has segments that are axially spaced apart and at least partially extend circumferentially. The segments are connected by one or a plurality of hinges, respectively, along the length extension of the tubular support body. The hinges are arranged in the folds of the folded bellows of the casing.