Bunded Pipe Fittings Cold Crimping Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bunded pipe systems, particularly those made of steel, are hazardous and impractical to modify or install in situ due to the need for hot welding, which is unsafe and costly, especially when handling hazardous fluids.
Innovation Solution
A method using cold crimping to join steel pipes in a bunded pipe system, eliminating the need for welding by employing a male-female coupling with pressure application to create a crimped seal, allowing for rapid and safe in-situ installation and modification without additional components or mechanical assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to join steel pipes in bunded pipe systems, then the pipes can be securely connected, but it creates hazardous conditions when fuel is present and increases installation time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The joining process is divided into two separate stages: first, the pipes are inserted into the fitting without heat application, then a sealing element is introduced to create the seal. This segmentation eliminates the need for welding while maintaining joint integrity and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate sealing element (such as an O-ring or gasket) is introduced as an intermediary component between the pipe and fitting. This mediator creates the seal without requiring direct thermal contact or welding, thus eliminating fire hazards while ensuring secure connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If welding is used to alter pipe runs during building refurbishment, then the pipework can be modified, but it requires draining and inerting the fuel system which is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is designed with pre-formed receiving bores and integrated sealing surfaces that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows pipes to be quickly connected without requiring on-site welding, draining, or inerting operations, significantly reducing system downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical insertion and sealing mechanism. Pipes are joined through simple insertion into the fitting followed by sealing element engagement, eliminating the complex thermal and safety procedures required for welding modifications.
3Ease of operation
If flexible steel hosing is used to allow in-situ installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but the interstitial gap becomes variable preventing accurate pressure monitoring for leak detection
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting incorporates a specifically designed sealed interstitial space with controlled dimensions at the local connection point. This localized quality control ensures a consistent gap for pressure monitoring while the overall system maintains installation flexibility through the mechanical joining design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from variable gap dimensions in flexible hosing to a controlled, consistent interstitial gap dimension in the rigid fitting. This parameter change enables accurate pressure monitoring while maintaining ease of installation through the simplified insertion mechanism.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and cost-effective installation and modification of bunded steel pipe systems by avoiding hazardous hot processes, while maintaining the ability to monitor pressure for leak detection through a consistent interstitial gap.
Implementation Method 1
applying pressure at a plurality of points around the female coupling where it overlaps with the male coupling to compress the female coupling against the male coupling to form a crimped seal therebetween
Implementation Method 2
compress the female coupling against the male coupling to form a crimped seal
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method of installing a bunded pipe system for transfer of hazardous fluids comprises providing one or more fittings for terminating or splitting pipes in a bunded steel pipe run, each said fitting comprising an inner tubular steel member for joining to an end of the inner steel pipe of a bunded pipe and an outer tubular steel member at least partially surrounding the inner tubular member and spaced therefrom for joining to the outer steel pipe of the bunded pipe, each end of the inner tubular steel member of the fitting extending beyond the corresponding end of the outer tubular steel member; joining the inner tubular steel member to the inner tubular pipe of a bunded pipe; and joining the outer tubular steel member to the outer pipe of the bunded pipe. The inner and outer tubular steel members are joined respectively to the inner and outer bunded pipes in situ by inserting an end portion of each pipe into an end portion of each tubular steel member, or vice versa, to provide a male-female coupling and applying pressure at a plurality of points around the female coupling where it overlaps with the male coupling to compress the female coupling against the male coupling to form a crimped seal therebetween.