Composite Pipe Joint Geometry for High-Pressure Seal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite piping systems face challenges with managing high pressures, accommodating various pipe orientations, and ensuring secure connections without damaging seals, as traditional connections like screw-type and bell-shaped locking key joints often result in loose or leaking joints, increased stress on pipe walls, and difficulty in alignment.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connection system featuring a female component with a sealing portion, stoppage flare, and locking section, and a male component with a nozzle and locking section, allowing for ease of insertion and alignment, and enabling secure connection without threading, while accommodating any rotational orientation and managing high pressures up to 200 bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw-type connections are used to achieve tight and secure joints, then connection reliability is improved, but the ability to accommodate various pipe orientations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a bell-shaped receiving portion for orientation accommodation, a seal portion for leakage prevention, and a locking portion for secure connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell-shaped receiving portion is pre-formed to accept the male pipe section at any rotational orientation. The seal portion is pre-installed in the bell, and the locking mechanism is pre-configured with alignment features, allowing the connection to be made without requiring precise orientation alignment during assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bell-shaped locking key joints are used to accommodate pipe orientation, then adaptability is improved, but seal damage and connection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal portion is designed with a smooth, continuous surface that locally optimizes sealing contact. The locking portion is positioned and shaped to engage without creating sharp edges or protrusions that could damage the seal. This localized optimization of different regions ensures both orientation flexibility and seal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell-shaped receiving portion acts as an intermediary between the male pipe section and the locking mechanism. It provides a smooth transition zone that guides the male section into proper position without allowing direct contact between sharp locking edges and the seal, thereby protecting seal integrity while maintaining orientation flexibility.
3Productivity
If bell-shaped joints with increased diameter are used to maintain flow area, then fluid flow is improved, but wall stress increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bell-shaped receiving portion uses a gradual curved transition instead of sharp angles or abrupt diameter changes. This curved geometry distributes the stress from internal pressure more evenly across the pipe wall, avoiding stress concentration points while still maintaining the required flow area for the connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe connection may include a female component with a sealing portion, a stoppage flare, and a first locking section and a male component with a nozzle configured for sealingly engaging the sealing portion, a stopping cone for abutting the stoppage flare, and a second locking section.