Detent-Locking Sealing Sleeve for Secure Pipe Leak Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing technologies for piping systems are complex, prone to errors, and difficult to manipulate, especially when sealing leaks from the exterior or interior, and often provide non-secure sealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A sealing sleeve made of annularly bent steel with a multi-part detent member and locking device, featuring a slot with rows of teeth and a tensioning mechanism, allowing for secure and reliable sealing with easy manipulation, suitable for mechanical devices and robots, and featuring a detachable design for modular use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-part metallic sleeve is used to press the sealing sleeve from the exterior, then the sealing can be achieved, but the system becomes very complex and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressing systems with a simple expansion mechanism. Instead of using a multi-part metallic sleeve to press the sealing sleeve from the exterior, the invention uses an expandable sealing sleeve that can be inflated or expanded in place, eliminating the need for complex external pressing equipment and reducing system complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or parameters of the sealing sleeve by making it expandable. The sealing sleeve transitions from a compact transport state to an expanded sealing state, allowing it to adapt to different pipe sizes and sealing requirements without requiring complex external equipment, thus simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable sealing
2Reliability
If rubber-coated sleeves with mechanical mounting devices are used for interior sealing, then sealing can be achieved, but the manipulation becomes difficult and largely precludes mechanical manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mounting devices with a simpler expansion mechanism. Instead of using rubber-coated sleeves that require complex mechanical mounting devices for installation, the invention uses an expandable sealing sleeve that can be deployed and secured through expansion or inflation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical manipulation and making the system more suitable for mechanical installation
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing sleeve is designed to be self-expanding or self-securing once inserted into the pipe. The expansion mechanism automatically secures the sealing sleeve in place without requiring complex external manipulation or mechanical mounting devices, thereby simplifying the installation process and improving ease of operation while maintaining sealing reliability
3Reliability
If a protective ring is added to prevent hose obstruction, then the system becomes more secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function directly into the sealing sleeve structure itself. Instead of adding a separate protective ring as an additional component, the invention integrates protective features into the design of the expandable sealing sleeve, such as reinforced edges or protective coatings, thereby eliminating the need for separate protective components and reducing system complexity while maintaining system security
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 provides a secure, reliable, and easy-to-manipulate sealing mechanism that can be used for both interior and exterior sealing, ensuring effective leak closure with the option for mechanical assistance, and is adaptable for various piping system sizes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element (13) which is designed to be elastically resilient and is suitable for pressing the detent element (11) resiliently against the carrier (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing sleeve for inserting into a piping system in order to seal a leak, having a steel sheet, which is annularly bent together and having at least one locking device in the form of a slot which is arranged in the steel strip in the circumferential direction and which has at least one row of teeth. The locking device also having at least one detent member, which is suitable for engaging in at least one row of teeth. The detent member has at least one guide element, at least one detent element and at least one tensioning element, which is arranged between one guide element and one detent element and is designed in such a way that the tensioning force between the guide element and the detent element can be varied and thus the detent effect of the detent member can be controlled.