Coupling Protective Ring with Energizing Member for Corrosion Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In piping systems that transport corrosive materials, existing coupling assemblies fail to effectively prevent corrosion of the interior components, particularly in long tubing or casing strings where traditional solutions like lined steel pipes have limitations due to length constraints and external pressures.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly with a protective ring made of resilient material, featuring a cylindrical design with openings that compress to close around an energizing member, preventing corrosive materials from contacting the interior wall and inhibiting their flow, while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional lined steel pipes are used, then corrosion protection is provided, but the pipe length is limited due to manufacturing and handling constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The long piping system is divided into multiple sections using couplings that connect individual pipe segments. Each coupling contains a protective ring that provides corrosion protection at the joint interface, allowing the system to achieve effective lengths far exceeding what a single lined pipe could provide while maintaining corrosion resistance at all critical interfaces.
2Length of moving object
If couplings are used to connect pipe sections, then longer piping systems can be assembled, but the interior wall of the coupling becomes susceptible to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The protective ring is positioned within the coupling body to specifically extract and protect the interior wall surface from corrosive materials. The ring creates a barrier between the corrosive fluid and the coupling's interior wall, preventing corrosion at the joint interface while allowing the coupling to fulfill its connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective ring acts as an intermediary element between the corrosive materials flowing through the pipes and the coupling's interior wall. This intermediate component absorbs the corrosive attack, protecting the structural coupling body while allowing the piping system to maintain its integrity and length.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective ring is added to the coupling, then corrosion protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of protecting the entire piping system with complex measures, the protective ring applies corrosion protection locally only at the coupling interior where it is most needed. This localized approach provides effective corrosion protection at critical joint interfaces without requiring complex protection systems throughout the entire piping length.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective ring design uses asymmetric geometry with a compression face at one end and an energizing member at the other, allowing it to be installed in a specific orientation within the coupling. This asymmetric design enables the ring to perform multiple functions (sealing, protection, positioning) in a single component, reducing overall assembly complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents corrosive materials from contacting and escaping the interior of the coupling assembly, thereby protecting the components from corrosion and ensuring a secure, leak-proof connection across varying lengths of tubulars.
Implementation Method 1
a protective ring comprising a ring body of resilient material for positioning adjacent an interior wall of the coupling body
Implementation Method 2
whereupon the ring body compresses between ends of the two tubulars closing the opening in the ring body about the energizing member urging the ring body against the interior wall of the coupling body
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 2C~3A
AI summary
A protective ring (40) for use in a coupling assembly (10), the coupling assembly comprising a coupling body (20) of generally cylindrical shape with a channel therethrough, each end of said coupling body having a thread (22, 24) for threaded mating with a tubular (32) so that the coupling assembly may provide a connection between two tubulars, the protective ring comprising a ring body for positioning adjacent an interior wall (26) of said coupling body (20) between the two ends thereof and located for contact by said two tubulars (32), said ring body being generally cylindrical and having a ring channel therethrough, characterised in that said protective ring comprises an energizing member (42), the arrangement being such that, in use, upon compression of said protective ring (40) between said two tubulars (32) said energizing member (42) urges said ring body against said interior wall (26) of said coupling body (20) whereby corrosive material is inhibited from contact therewith.