Double Walled Corrugated Pipe Coupling Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double wall corrugated pipe connection systems suffer from leakage due to irregularities in the outer wall surface of the insert connector and discontinuity in the inner wall at the junction of connected pipe sections, leading to suboptimal sealing and flow issues.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a bell connector with a transition wall and an insert connector featuring a lead corrugation with an angled wall, a stub flange, and an 'O' ring seal, along with a smooth inner wall and circumferentially extending ribs on the outer sleeve, ensuring a continuous inner wall junction and improved sealing by reducing the size of corrugations and using a non-ribbed seal section to minimize deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is provided on the outer wall surface of the insert connector, then sealing is attempted, but leakage occurs due to gaps or deformations in the corrugations and irregularities in the molded plastic surface
Solution Approach 1:
A separate gasket member is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the insert connector and bell connector. This gasket member carries the seal, isolating it from the irregular outer wall surface of the insert connector. The gasket member itself provides a stable mounting surface that compensates for surface irregularities, ensuring reliable sealing without being affected by manufacturing variations in the pipe connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is separated from the structural connector components. Instead of integrating the seal directly into the irregular outer wall surface of the insert connector, the sealing system is segmented into a separate gasket member that can be independently manufactured and installed. This allows the sealing surface to be optimized separately from the structural requirements of the connector.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inner wall at the junction of two connected pipe lengths is discontinuous, then connector design is simplified, but flow continuity and sealing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A transition piece is introduced as an intermediary component at the junction of two pipe sections. This transition piece has a first end that receives the insert connector and a second end that forms a continuous inner wall surface. The transition piece bridges the discontinuity created by the connector junction, maintaining flow continuity and sealing while allowing the connectors themselves to remain relatively simple in design.
3Strength
If the bell connector is slightly enlarged to receive the insert connector, then mechanical engagement is improved, but the coupling diameter increases relative to the pipe sections
Solution Approach 1:
The insert connector is designed with corrugations that nest within the bell connector in a telescoping manner. The insert connector has a maximum diameter that is slightly less than the bell connector's inner diameter, allowing for interference fit engagement. This nesting arrangement provides strong mechanical engagement through the interference fit while maintaining overall diameter consistency, as the enlarged portion is confined to the coupling region rather than increasing the overall pipe diameter.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 3~3A
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Disclosed is a corrugated double wall plastic pipe (2) with a bell connector (8) at one end of the pipe section and an insert connector (10) at the opposite end of the pipe. The insert connector includes an inner wall (30) that cooperates with the bell connector at the junction of the bell connector and the pipe to continue to the inner wall between pipes joined by an insert connector of one pipe inserted in the bell connector of a second pipe.