Composite Conveyor Pipe Joint Structure for Axial Load Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor pipes with fibrous composite materials face issues with unreliable flange connections due to poor weldability and susceptibility to environmental factors, leading to connection failures under axial forces, which can result in decreased production efficiency, increased maintenance costs, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor pipe design featuring a main pipe with fibrous layers that alternately hook around protrusions on connecting members, applying a pull force to enhance axial connection strength and prevent connection failures, combined with a wear-resistant sleeve and optimized manufacturing method for improved reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to connect flanges to the main pipe, then connection strength may be improved, but the wear-resistant performance of the main pipe is affected by unreasonably heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary connection structure consisting of a connecting plate and connecting bolts that mediate between the flange and the main pipe. This eliminates direct welding on the wear-resistant main pipe, avoiding thermal damage while maintaining connection strength through mechanical fastening.
2Ease of manufacture
If bonding is used to connect flanges to the main pipe, then connection can be achieved, but it is susceptible to environmental impacts and may involve aging problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate serves as a mechanical intermediary that replaces bonding adhesives. The connection relies on physical bolt fastening rather than chemical bonding, eliminating susceptibility to environmental factors and aging while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism with a mechanical fastening system using bolts and connecting plates. This substitution provides a more reliable and environmentally stable connection that avoids the limitations of adhesive bonding.
3Ease of operation
If traditional flange connections are used, then assembly is simple, but axial forces from material movement and poor assembling accuracy control cause connection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is pre-welded to the flange during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and positioning before the final installation, eliminating assembly accuracy issues while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plate acts as a mediator that distributes axial forces between the flange and the main pipe connection. This intermediary structure prevents force concentration that would lead to connection failure under axial loads from material movement.
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 significantly improves the axial connection strength between the main pipe and connecting members, reducing the risk of connection failures and enhancing the reliability and safety of the conveyor system, while maintaining wear-resistant and explosion-proof performance.
Implementation Method 1
the fibrous composite material of the fibrous layer winds around the main pipe and alternately hooks around the protrusions of the pipe connecting members respectively provided at the two ends of the main pipe, so that a pull force in axial direction is applied to the pipe connecting members by means of the protrusions hooked by the fibrous composite material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
A conveyor system, conveyor pipe, and manufacturing method thereof. The conveyor pipe comprises a main pipe (1), pipe connection members (2) respectively arranged at the two ends of the main pipe (1), and a fibrous composite material layer (3) covering the outer surrounding surface of the main pipe (1). The outer surrounding surface of the pipe connection member (2) is provided with multiple protrusions (21). At least a portion of the fibrous composite material of the fibrous composite material layer (3) winds around the main pipe (1) and alternatively hooks around the protrusions (21) of the pipe connection members (2) respectively provided at the two ends of the main pipe (1), so that a pull force in an axial direction is applied to the pipe connection members (2) by means of the protrusions (21). The axial connection between the main pipe (1) and the pipe connection members (2) would be strengthened, thus effectively preventing connection failures caused by insufficient axial forces.