Decompression Insulating Pipe Assembly With Axial Flange Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decompression heat-insulating pipe structures face challenges in maintaining high heat-insulating performance and assembly efficiency due to low radial dimensional accuracy of inner and outer tubes, leading to difficulties in sealing and assembly issues when the radial dimensions deviate from standard dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed decompression heat-insulating pipe structure employs an inner and outer tube configuration with flanges and elastic seal members, where the seal members are compressed axially to ensure high sealing properties, and includes bellows for accommodating thermal expansion, allowing for reliable sealing and assembly even with low radial dimensional accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radial dimension of the inner tube is smaller than the standard dimension, then the distance between the inner tube and the outer tube becomes large, but the space between the inner tube and the outer tube is difficult to be sealed with an elastic seal member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the sealing direction from radial to axial by introducing flanges that extend in the axial direction. The elastic seal members are positioned between flanges and compressed axially rather than radially, utilizing the axial dimension where dimensional accuracy is higher to achieve reliable sealing despite radial dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flanges as intermediary structures that extend radially inward from the outer tube and radially outward from the inner tube. These flanges create axial compression zones that mediate the sealing function, allowing elastic seal members to be compressed axially between flange surfaces rather than relying on radial compression.
2Volume of moving object
If the radial dimension of the inner tube is larger than the standard dimension, then the distance between the inner tube and the outer tube becomes narrow, but an elastic seal member is difficult to be disposed in a space between the inner tube and the outer tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from radial to axial by using flanges that create axial compression zones. This allows elastic seal members to be disposed and compressed in the axial direction where sufficient space is available, regardless of radial dimensional variations, thereby improving assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing function into multiple axial locations by providing multiple flanges at different axial positions. Each flange pair creates a separate sealing zone, allowing elastic seal members to be positioned and compressed independently at each location, facilitating easier assembly and disposal.
3Ease of manufacture
If dimensional accuracy in the radial direction of the inner tube and outer tube is low, then assembly is easier, but heat-insulating performance deteriorates due to inadequate sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the sealing function from the radial dimension (where accuracy is low) to the axial dimension (where accuracy is high) by using flanges. This allows assembly to be easier while maintaining reliable sealing and heat-insulating performance, as the elastic seal members are compressed axially between flange surfaces with higher dimensional accuracy.
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
This configuration ensures high heat-insulating performance and easy assembly by maintaining a sealed state and accommodating dimensional changes due to thermal expansion, preventing damage to seal members and ensuring consistent sealing properties.
Implementation Method 1
the first elastic seal member is compressed between the first flange and the third flange, and the second elastic seal member is compressed between the second flange and the fourth flange
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube preferably includes bellows, the bellows being configured to elongate or contract axially
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A decompression heat-insulating pipe structure (1A) that can exhibit the desired heat-insulating performance and is easy to assemble. In the structure, a space (4) between ends of inner (3) and outer (4) tubes is decompressed. The outer tube includes a first flange (21), which extends radially inward from an axially one end thereof, and a second flange (22), which extends radially outward from the axially other end thereof. The inner tube includes a third flange (31), which extends radially inward from an axially one end thereof and is opposed to the first flange at an axially inward position of the first flange, and a fourth flange (32), which extends radially outward from the axially other end thereof and being opposed to the second flange at an axially outward position of the second flange. First (11) and second (12) elastic seal members are disposed between the first and third flanges and between the second and fourth flanges, respectively.