Dual Containment Pipe Assembly With Spacer Wheels for Elbow Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual containment pipe elbows face challenges in balancing manufacturing efficiency with adherence to industry standards, while ensuring structural integrity and leak-proof joints.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a dual containment pipe assembly with an outer containment pipe featuring a rib on its interior surface and an inner containment pipe with clips on its exterior surface. Spacer wheels with inner channels and outer grooves are used to securely engage the inner and outer pipes, allowing for efficient assembly and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If split inner containment is used to adapt to elbow curvature, then flexibility in adapting to curvature is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to welding requirements and joint integration
Solution Approach 1:
The inner containment pipe is divided into multiple segments that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each piece to be produced using standard manufacturing processes without requiring complex curved geometry, while the segments can be configured to adapt to the elbow curvature through controlled separation and repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner containment segments are designed with controlled separation capability, allowing them to move relative to each other during assembly and operation. This dynamic configuration enables the segments to adapt to the curved geometry of the elbow while maintaining structural integrity through managed joint design rather than permanent rigid welding.
2Productivity
If zero-radius change in direction is implemented for streamlined manufacturing, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but compatibility with industry standards deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe assembly is divided into straight segments connected at standardized intervals. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using simple, efficient processes while the assembled configuration achieves the required flow direction change, maintaining compatibility with standard pipe fittings and industry specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized connection elements or transition pieces serve as intermediaries between straight pipe segments. These intermediaries enable the assembly to achieve curved flow paths while each individual component can be manufactured with simple geometry, maintaining efficiency and standard compatibility.
3Strength
If multiple components are used to secure inner containment to outer containment, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are combined into integrated connection elements that simultaneously secure the inner containment segment to the outer containment while maintaining proper spacing and alignment. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining structural integrity through multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements are designed to perform multiple functions: securing the inner containment, maintaining spacing from the outer containment, and facilitating assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining structural requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual containment pipe assembly includes an outer containment pipe defining a rib on an interior surface thereof. An inner containment pipe can be positioned inside of the outer containment pipe. The inner containment pipe has at least one clip on an exterior surface thereof. At least one spacer wheel is between the outer containment pipe and the inner containment pipe. The spacer wheel has an inner channel for engagement to the clip and an outer groove for engagement to the rib. The spacer wheel includes: an inner circumferential hub defining the inner channel for engaging the clip; an outer circumferential rim defining the outer groove for engaging the rib; and a plurality of support spokes connecting the inner circumferential hub and the outer circumferential rim.