Drainpipe Test Plug Seal Structure for Pressure-Assisted Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainpipe testing methods face challenges in maintaining a reliable mechanical seal under varying pressures and facilitating easy insertion and removal without damaging the pipe or opening, while preventing fluid leakage during testing.

Innovation Solution

A drainpipe test plug with a lever arm and positioning arm assembly, featuring a plug seal with flexible holes or channels in the peripheral annular rim and planar front surface, which provides flexibility for insertion and removal while maintaining a strong seal against pressure, preventing fluid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If holes are formed in the plug seal to facilitate insertion and removal, then flexibility is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion and removal flexibilityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plug seal has different structural characteristics in different regions: the peripheral annular rim contains holes for flexibility, while the planar front surface remains solid for sealing. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The plug seal is segmented into functional zones: holes in the peripheral annular rim provide flexibility for insertion/removal, while the solid planar front surface maintains sealing integrity. The segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of both flexibility and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the plug seal is made stiff to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of insertion and removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidinsertion and removal flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the plug seal have different stiffness characteristics: the peripheral annular rim with holes provides flexibility for easy insertion/removal, while the planar front surface maintains stiffness for reliable sealing against the pipe interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The plug seal structure is segmented into flexible and stiff regions, allowing the peripheral rim to be flexible for operation while the front sealing surface remains stiff for reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the plug seal structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing performance under varying pressures may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance under pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plug seal is segmented into two main components: a peripheral annular rim with holes and a planar front surface. This segmentation allows simple manufacturing of each part while their combination provides effective sealing performance under varying pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures a durable, easy-to-use drainpipe test plug that maintains a mechanical seal under high pressures, facilitates easy insertion and removal, and prevents fluid leakage during testing, making it suitable for a wide range of drainpipe sizes and pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of holes formed into the surface of the peripheral annular rim which impart a degree of flexibility to a peripheral area of the plug seal to facilitate the insertion and removal of the drainpipe test plug from the drainpipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressurized system is then inspected for leaks... providing additional sealing force against the interior of the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in the plugging position to prevent test fluid in the drainpipe above the drainpipe test plug from leaking past the plug seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11493398B2Drainpipe test plug with pressure assisted plug seal

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 GEORGE TASH & DEBRA B TASH AS TRUSTEES OF THE COMMUNITY TRUST CREATED UNDER THE GEORGE TASH & DEBRA B TASH INTERVIVOS TRUST AGREEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 25 1986 AS AMENDED & TOTALLY RESTATED ON MAY 19 1999

AI summary

A drainpipe test plug for plugging a drainpipe via an opening formed therein includes a plug seal that includes a planar front surface which faces upward in the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in a plugging position and a peripheral annular rim. The plug seal can include a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the planar front surface, or a plurality of holes or a continuous channel formed into the surface of the peripheral annular rim, or both. The plug seal holes or channels impart a degree of flexibility to a peripheral area of the plug seal to facilitate the insertion and removal of the drainpipe test plug from the drainpipe. In addition, the holes or channel in the planar front surface provide additional sealing force against the interior of the drainpipe whenever the drainpipe test plug is in the plugging position.