Dismantling Joint Pitch Circle Forcing Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dismantling joints in large high-pressure pipelines face challenges such as flange bending, complex removal processes, misalignment issues leading to inferior seals, and require large, heavy flanges to manage loads, making them inefficient and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A dismantling joint design featuring a cylindrical spigot and socket configuration with forcing means arranged about a pitch circle, allowing for axial compressive force to be applied directly to the flanges, reducing the need for large flanges and simplifying the removal process while ensuring a reliable seal through the use of sealing means and compression bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional dismantling joints use large heavy flanges to carry applied loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dismantling joint is divided into two separate halves (first half and second half) that can be independently positioned and secured. Each half has its own flange structure, allowing the load-bearing functions to be distributed and reduced in size compared to a single large flange system.
Solution Approach 2:
The forcing means are arranged about a pitch circle spaced from the central axes, creating a distributed three-dimensional force application system. This spatial arrangement allows smaller flanges to achieve the same load-bearing capacity through optimized force distribution in multiple directions.
2Strength
If traditional dismantling joints use bolts passing through flanges to hold halves together, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is segmented into multiple forcing means distributed about the pitch circle, allowing incremental adjustment and easier access during installation and removal operations compared to a single centralized bolt system.
Solution Approach 2:
The forcing means act as intermediaries between the two halves, providing a distributed connection system that maintains structural integrity while allowing for easier operational access compared to direct flange-to-flange bolting.
3Ease of operation
If traditional dismantling joints use gaskets to take up misalignment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inferior seal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the misalignment accommodation function from the gasket and transfers it to the forcing means arrangement. The pitch circle spacing and forcing means positioning actively manage misalignment, eliminating reliance on gasket deformation for seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The forcing means are preliminarily arranged about the pitch circle to pre-establish proper alignment and sealing contact between the two halves, preventing misalignment issues before they occur rather than relying on gaskets to compensate for misalignment after assembly.
4Strength
If traditional dismantling joints require access to nuts and bolts for removal, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of operation worsens due to required axial length
Solution Approach 1:
The forcing means are arranged in a three-dimensional pitch circle configuration rather than a linear axial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the securing mechanism to be compacted axially while maintaining structural integrity through distributed radial and circumferential positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A dismantling joint for joining a first pipeline component to a second pipeline component including a first half and a second half, the first half including a cylindrical spigot having an outer face and a flange extending outwardly from the outer face of the spigot, the flange having an inner face and an outer face remote from the inner face, and the second half including a socket adapted to slidably receive therein the spigot of the first half, the socket having a proximal end and a distal end remote from the proximal end, the proximal end being opposed to the inner face of the flange of the first half; and forcing means arranged between the inner face of the flange of the first half and the proximal end of the spigot to engage the inner face of the flange of the first half and the proximal end of the socket of the second half adjacent the outer face of the spigot to force the first and second halves away from each other.