Double Plug Head Sealing Uneven Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plug heads often form fine gaps between the rubber packing and the inner surface of pipes due to uneven surfaces, leading to gas leaks during pipe maintenance, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A double plug head design featuring a primary rubber packing, a roller support, a tube support with a fluid feed path, and a flexible rubber tube that expands to ensure tight contact with the pipe surface, supplemented by a fluid discharge path to manage any leaks, preventing gas from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single rubber packing is used to seal the pipe, then the device complexity is low, but gas leaks occur due to fine gaps on uneven pipe surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two independent parts: a primary rubber packing for initial sealing and a secondary expandable rubber tube for gap filling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the primary packing providing the main seal and the secondary tube eliminating leaks through expansion into gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable rubber tube serves as a preliminary protective measure against gas leaks. By providing an additional sealing layer that can expand to fill gaps before gas leakage occurs, it cushions against the potential harmful effect of leaks through the primary packing.
2Reliability
If the rubber packing is made softer to conform to uneven surfaces, then sealing improves, but the packing strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two components with different material properties: the primary rubber packing maintains structural strength while providing initial contact sealing, and the secondary expandable rubber tube uses controlled expansion to fill gaps without requiring excessive softness, thus preserving its structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary rubber tube is inflated with gas or fluid to achieve the desired sealing contact. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism allows the tube to expand and conform to uneven surfaces without permanently deforming or compromising the material strength, as the expansion is controlled and reversible.
3Reliability
If an expandable rubber tube is added for secondary sealing, then gas leak prevention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable rubber tube serves multiple functions: it fills gaps between the primary packing and pipe surface, provides secondary sealing, and can compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering enhanced gas containment through a single component that performs several critical sealing roles.
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 double plug head effectively seals pipes by combining primary and secondary sealing mechanisms, ensuring reliable gas containment and enhancing safety during maintenance by preventing gas leaks, even on uneven pipe surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber tube which can be expanded by compressed fluid injected thereinto
Data Source
AI summary
A double plug head for plugging a pipe. The double plug head includes a primary rubber packing, a roller support, a tube support and a rubber tube. The primary rubber packing is provided on a mounting plate of a plugging machine. The roller support is provided with a plurality of rollers. The tube support is provided between the primary rubber packing and the roller support. A tube seating depression is formed around the circumferential surface of the tube support. A fluid feed path is formed in the tube support. The rubber tube is seated into the tube seating depression and has a nipple connected to an outlet of the fluid feed path. Communication holes which communicate with the fluid feed path are respectively formed in the primary rubber packing and the mounting plate. A fluid hose is connected to the communication hole of the mounting plate.