Elastomeric Coated Metal Pipe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for coupling metal pipes and rubber hoses in mineral processing plants are costly due to the need for flanges, which are expensive to manufacture and attach, and make transporting metal pipes difficult before mounting.
Innovation Solution
A metal pipe with an elastomeric coating on its outer surface allows for the use of the same coupling devices as rubber hoses, eliminating the need for flanges and enabling easier transportation and coupling with a sleeve portion and attachment means that penetrate the coating for stable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flanges are attached to metal pipes for coupling, then reliable connections are achieved, but manufacturing and attachment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric coating is integrated directly onto the metal pipe surface, merging the coupling interface function with the pipe structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate flange components and their attachment processes, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining connection reliability through the elastomeric material's inherent coupling capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the coupling interface for connections, protects the metal pipe surface, and enables direct attachment of coupling devices without additional components. This multi-functionality replaces the traditional flange system with a more cost-effective solution
2Reliability
If flanges are attached to metal pipes for coupling, then stable connections are achieved, but transportation and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange components are extracted from the metal pipe structure, leaving only the essential coupling functionality integrated into the elastomeric coating. This removal of extraneous components simplifies the pipe's geometry and facilitates easier transportation and handling while the elastomeric coating maintains connection stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same coupling device is used for both rubber hoses and metal pipes, then device versatility improves, but attachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric coating creates a homogeneous coupling surface on metal pipes that matches the interface requirements of rubber hose coupling devices. This material homogeneity allows the same coupling device design to be used for both rubber hoses and metal pipes, achieving versatility without increasing attachment complexity
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
This solution reduces manufacturing and attachment costs, simplifies the coupling process, and facilitates easier handling and transportation of metal pipes, while maintaining reliable connections for material transport in mineral processing plants.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomeric coating may be vulcanized onto said outer circumferential surface, which creates a satisfying and very stable attachment of the elastomeric coating to the metal pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a metal pipe (1) for transporting material in mineral processing plants. The metal pipe (1) has a first and a second end portion(4, 5). The metal pipe (1) is characterised in that an outer 5 circumferential surface (7) of the first end portion (4) is coated with an elastomeric coating (6).The invention also relates to a coupling device for coupling a first and a second transporting means, and a system for transporting material in mineral processing plants.