Dig Tube Fittings With Clamp Groove and Flange Undercut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dig tube fittings for vacuum systems, such as hydrovac and flusher trucks, lack a secure and reliable connection mechanism that prevents damage to underground systems during excavation, leading to potential damage to pipelines and other underground infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of new male and female fittings with an upset having an outer circumference groove and undercut design for the female fitting, and a radiused corner transition with a flange for the male fitting, providing a secure connection through a clamp mechanism, allowing for a robust and leak-proof attachment of dig tubes in vacuum systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing dig tube fittings are used for vacuum systems, then the excavation process can proceed, but the connection mechanism is not secure and reliable, leading to potential damage to underground infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into distinct functional segments: the upset portion for insertion, the groove for clamp engagement, and the undercut for flange reception. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring secure connection while protecting underground infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The male fitting is nested within the female fitting through the upset and groove mechanism. The clamp engages the groove to secure the nested configuration, creating a reliable connection that prevents disconnection and potential damage to underground systems during excavation operations.
2Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is implemented with upset, groove, and undercut features, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection features (upset, groove, undercut) are merged into a single integrated fitting component. This consolidation achieves secure connection reliability without requiring multiple separate parts, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity to only what is necessary for the connection mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The female fitting with upset, groove, and undercut features serves multiple functions: insertion guidance, clamp engagement, and flange support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level while achieving high connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A female fitting includes a tube having an end that includes an upset for receiving a male fitting, the upset having an outer circumference and an inwardly extending groove extending around the outer circumference for receiving a clamp or portion of a clamp and the upset having an end face and inner surface, the upset having an undercut between the end face and inner surface for receiving a flange of the male fitting. A male fitting includes a tube having an end part; and a transition between the tube and the end part, the transition comprising a flange extending radially outward from the tube and a radiused corner connecting the flange to the end part.