Double-Containment Pipe Joint With Movable Shroud Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double containment pipe systems face difficulties in installation, access, and repair due to the complexity of inner pipe joints in long pipe systems, as existing solutions do not provide a straightforward method for disassembly and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a shroud that is movably mounted to the outer pipe portion, allowing for the outer securing mechanism to be released and the shroud to be withdrawn, creating a gap for accessing and disassembling the inner pipe joint, while also enabling easy assembly by resecuring the shroud and closing the gap, with optional features like vacuum insulation and seal members for fluid containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double containment pipe system is used to provide fail-safe fluid containment, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing inner pipe joints
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned from a closed position (providing containment) to an open position (providing access to inner pipe joints). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both reliable containment during operation and easy repair when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pipe assembly is segmented into separate components: the shroud that can be moved, the outer pipe portions, and the inner pipe assembly. This segmentation allows the shroud to be independently repositioned to provide access to inner pipe joints without compromising the integrity of the containment system.
2Device complexity
If a fixed shroud design is used to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to access inner pipe joints for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud incorporates a movable mounting mechanism that allows repositioning between closed and open states. This dynamic feature enables maintenance access without requiring complex disassembly procedures, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational ease.
3Strength
If mechanical connections are used in the pipe joint to ensure strength, then strength is improved, but heat transfer increases which is detrimental for high-temperature fluid containment
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts or removes mechanical connections between the inner and outer pipe assemblies. By eliminating direct mechanical contact, the patent reduces thermal conduction pathways while maintaining structural integrity through alternative means, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and heat transfer prevention.
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
Facilitates easy disassembly and assembly of inner pipe joints, improves access for maintenance, and maintains a fluid-tight seal, particularly suitable for high-temperature fluids like liquid hydrogen, while avoiding mechanical connections to reduce heat transfer and enhance insulation.
Implementation Method 1
the interspace contains a vacuum
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
AI summary
A pipe joint comprising: an outer pipe assembly comprising a first outer pipe portion, a second outer pipe portion, and a shroud which couples the first outer pipe portion to the second outer pipe portion via an outer pipe joint, wherein the outer pipe joint comprises an outer securing mechanism which secures the shroud to the second outer pipe portion. The inner pipe assembly is within the outer pipe assembly and comprises a first inner pipe portion coupled to a second inner pipe portion via an inner pipe joint, wherein the inner pipe assembly is configured to provide an inner fluid flow path which extends in an axial direction and across the inner pipe joint. The shroud is movably mounted to the first outer pipe portion, and the outer securing mechanism is configured to be releasable to enable the shroud to be moved along the first outer pipe portion in the axial direction and withdrawn away from the second outer pipe portion, thereby opening a gap between the shroud and the second outer pipe portion which provides access to the inner pipe joint.