Cast Flange Clamp for Pipe Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings with steel band clamps suffer from inflexibility near the lug area due to sudden thickness increase, leading to reduced sealing pressure and increased sealing pressure requirements, which delays on-site work and shortens seal life.
Innovation Solution
A unitary metal casting flange clamp with reduced thickness areas and integral ribs, made from cast iron, which allows for better conformance to the pipe surface and uses a tightening mechanism to apply radial pressure on an annular seal, while maintaining low cost and corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the band thickness is increased near the lug area, then the structural strength is improved, but the flexibility is reduced and the seal conformance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thicknesses of the band at different locations: thicker sections at the lugs for strength, and thinner sections at the sealing areas for flexibility. This local variation in geometry allows each part of the band to optimize its function - structural support where needed and conformability where it contacts the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The band is formed with a curved, concave cross-section that matches the cylindrical shape of the pipe. This curvature allows the band to conform to the round surface of the pipe and seal, improving contact uniformity and sealing effectiveness while maintaining flexibility despite the presence of lugs.
2Reliability
If high sealing pressure is applied to achieve pressure-tight condition, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the work time is increased and seal life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The concave, curved cross-section of the band is designed to match the cylindrical geometry of the pipe. This geometric conformity ensures that the sealing pressure is distributed evenly across the seal surface, achieving pressure-tight conditions more quickly and with less force than flat or improperly shaped bands, thereby reducing installation time and preserving seal life.
3Ease of manufacture
If the band is made as a continuous straight shape, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to inability to conform to circular seal
Solution Approach 1:
The band is manufactured with a pre-formed concave cross-section that curves to match the pipe's cylindrical surface. This curvature is integrated into the band's geometry during fabrication, allowing it to conform to the circular seal and achieve reliable sealing while remaining a single continuous piece that can be manufactured using standard forming processes.
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 cast iron flange clamp provides improved flexibility and sealing efficiency, reducing the need for high sealing pressure and extending seal life, while being cost-effective and resistant to corrosion and sideways pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a tightening element which can be operated to reduce the distance between the two ends of said open annular base element and thereby press an annular seal element against the outside of a pipe
Implementation Method 2
made from cast iron, which allows for better conformance to the pipe surface and uses a tightening mechanism to apply radial pressure on an annular seal, while maintaining low cost and corrosion resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An end clamp housing for attachment to a cylindrical body, the side end housing being a unitary metal casting comprising; an open annular base element provided with a first, ingoing flange at a first side of the base element and a second ingoing flange at a second side of the base element. The second ingoing flange having a cross-section forming a loop extending outwardly beyond the base element; and a pair of clamp members projecting outwardly from the base element. The clamp members being positioned face to face and having an aperture to allow the insertion of a tightening element which can be operated to reduce the distance between the two ends of the open annular base element and thereby press an annular seal element against the outside of a pipe inserted through the seal clamp housing, which after release of the tightening element returns to its original dimensions.