Conduit Sealing Mold Assembly for Protected Sealant Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Applying sealant to conduits, especially in difficult-to-reach locations, is challenging due to manual application difficulties and the need to protect the sealant during curing, which can disrupt other work in the area.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a mold, a retaining plate, a knuckle with pivotally connected jaws, and a spring clip is used to form a seal around a conduit. The mold sections mate together to create a cavity for sealant application, while the spring clip maintains the assembly's position during curing, allowing for easy removal after sealant hardening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sealant is applied manually to a conduit in a difficult-to-reach location, then the sealant application can be performed with simple equipment, but the technician cannot visually confirm that the sealant completely covers the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mold as an intermediary tool that wraps around the conduit and provides a visual indicator (such as a colored strip or window) that allows the technician to confirm sealant coverage without directly viewing the conduit. The mold acts as a mediator between the sealant application process and the technician's visual inspection capability.
2Productivity
If a technician applies sealant to a conduit and then needs to perform other work in the area, then productivity increases, but the sealant may be disturbed during the curing period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective coating or wrap around the conduit before sealant application, and this protective layer remains in place during the curing period. This preliminary protective action ensures that subsequent work activities in the area do not disturb the curing sealant, allowing technicians to perform multiple tasks while maintaining sealant integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the technician removes insulation or nearby materials to access the conduit for sealant application, then the sealant can be properly applied to the conduit surface, but time is lost in preparation and cleanup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conduit into multiple sections and applies sealant to each section separately using a modular mold system. This segmentation allows the technician to work on smaller, more manageable portions of the conduit, reducing the amount of insulation removal and cleanup required for each section, thereby reducing total preparation and cleanup time while maintaining proper sealant application quality.
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
Ensures complete application of sealant around conduits, protects the sealant during curing, and allows for uninterrupted work in the vicinity, enhancing efficiency and reliability of sealant application.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip positioned between the knuckle and the retaining plate with the spring clip configured to apply a force to maintain the retaining plate in contact with the mold
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An assembly to form a seal around a conduit. The assembly includes a mold with multiple sections that mate together to form a cavity that extends around the conduit. A retaining plate is configured to mount to the conduit and positioned in contact with the mold. A knuckle has a clamshell configuration with a first jaw and a second jaw that are pivotally connected together by a connector and movable between an open position and a closed position. A spring clip is positioned between the knuckle and the retaining plate with the spring clip configured to apply a force to maintain the retaining plate in contact with the mold. The assembly (10) configured to form a seal around a conduit (100), the assembly comprising: a mold (20) comprising multiple sections (21) that mate together to form a cavity (29) for extending around the conduit (100), the cavity (29) forming part of a channel for receiving the conduit (100); a retaining plate (30) for mounting to the conduit (100) when the conduit (100) is received in the channel, and the retaining plate (30) positioned in contact with the mold (20); a knuckle (50) comprising a clamshell configuration with a first jaw (51) and a second jaw (52) that are pivotally connected together by a connector (53) and movable between an open position and a closed position; and a spring clip (40) positioned between the knuckle (50) and the retaining plate (30), the spring clip (40) configured to apply a force to maintain the retaining plate (30) in contact with the mold (20).