Pre-Assembled Coupling Cap With Gasket Retention for Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for a single worker to align and secure pipe elements using slip-on pipe couplings, often requiring multiple workers, which reduces efficiency and increases assembly time in piping systems.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled coupling assembly with a cap and coupling design that includes a raised lip, sealing surface, and groove, allowing the cap to be easily aligned with the coupling, and a gasket that stretches over the raised lip to retain the coupling in a relaxed position, facilitating single-handed assembly and secure attachment to a pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If slip-on pipe couplings are used to connect pipe elements, then the piping system can be assembled, but it requires multiple workers to align and secure the pipe elements, which reduces assembly efficiency and increases man hours
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is pre-assembled onto the pipe fitting before the pipe element is installed. This preliminary action allows the coupling to be positioned and secured in advance, eliminating the need for multiple workers to simultaneously align and secure the pipe elements during assembly, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is divided into separate components (coupling, pipe fitting, pipe element) that can be prepared independently. The coupling is assembled on the pipe fitting separately, then the complete assembly is attached to the pipe element, allowing a single worker to handle each component independently and reducing the complexity of simultaneous alignment operations
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 design enables efficient, single-worker assembly of piping systems by ensuring the coupling is securely attached to the pipe without the need for multiple workers, reducing assembly time and minimizing the risk of lost or mixed parts.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket positioned within the coupling bore between the first ridge and the second ridge, the gasket defining a sealing ridge; and a cap defining an inner end and an outer end, the cap defining an axis extending from the inner end to the outer end, the cap defining a raised lip, a sealing surface, and a groove, the raised lip positioned at the inner end, the sealing surface axially positioned between the raised lip and the groove, the inner end axially positioned between the first ridge and the second ridge, the coupling retained on the inner end when the coupling is in a relaxed position wherein: the sealing ridge is axially positioned between the raised lip and the groove; and a radially innermost portion of the sealing ridge is positioned radially inward from a radially outermost portion of the raised lip
Data Source
AI summary
A cap configured for engagement with a coupling, the cap defining an inner end and an outer end, the cap defining an axis extending from the inner end to the outer end, the cap defining a raised lip, a sealing surface, and a groove, the raised lip axially positioned at the inner end, the sealing surface positioned between the raised lip and the groove.