Compound Locking Ring Segments for Deflectable Pipe Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spigot-bell pipe joints lack significant deflection capability under oblique or lateral forces, which can cause bending moments and potential joint failure.
Innovation Solution
A compound locking ring system composed of multiple ring segments with arcuate surfaces and notches, designed to fit within the segment cavity of a spigot-bell joint, allowing for increased deflection by sliding along the inner and outer surfaces while maintaining the seal and preventing disconnection under force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional locking ring is used in a spigot-bell joint, then the joint provides strong connection for high interior pipe pressure, but the joint lacks significant deflection capability under oblique or lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is divided into multiple segments that can independently move relative to each other along the arcuate surfaces. This segmentation allows the locking ring to deflect under oblique or lateral forces while maintaining the connection between pipes, resolving the contradiction between deflection capability and joint integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic system where segments can slide along predetermined paths defined by the arcuate inner and outer surfaces. This dynamic capability enables the joint to adapt to lateral forces while maintaining reliability through controlled movement within the segment cavity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the locking ring segments slide along arcuate surfaces to enable deflection, then deflection capability increases, but the complexity of the joint structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple locking ring segments are nested within the segment cavity of the bell, utilizing the existing joint structure. This nesting approach enables deflection capability without significantly increasing external joint complexity, as the segments operate within the predetermined space of the bell's segment cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate inner and outer surfaces provide curved guidance paths for the locking ring segments. This curvature enables smooth, controlled movement and deflection while maintaining structural integrity, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity through simple geometric features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ring segments are used to form the locking ring, then deflection capability is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is manufactured as separate segments that can be individually produced and then assembled within the segment cavity. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing of each component while the predetermined arcuate surfaces guide the assembly process, reducing the complexity of putting the joint together.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate inner and outer surfaces are pre-formed on the spigot and bell components during manufacturing. This preliminary action creates predetermined guidance paths that simplify the subsequent assembly of locking ring segments, as the segments naturally follow the curved surfaces into their correct positions without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint having a compound locking ring is disclosed herein. The pipe joint bell has a a segment cavity into which ring segments may be inserted through a slot on the face or outer surface of the bell end of a first pipe. The locking ring has multiple ring segments, each segment having an arcuate outer surface. The outer surface may be a compound surface of multiple arcs.