Expandable Bolt Hole Engager for Pipe Flange Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange spreading technologies face challenges in efficiently accessing and replacing gaskets between large diameter pipes, particularly in ensuring a fluid-tight seal and accommodating various bolt hole diameters without requiring multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
An expandable member with friction-enhancing formations is used, which can be retained within bolt holes by friction, and an actuator system to radially expand the member, coupled with a force transmission system to separate flanges, allowing for adaptable use across different sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an expandable member with friction-enhancing formations is used, then the retainability within bolt holes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable member incorporates friction-enhancing formations (ridges or protrusions) at specific locations on its outer surface. These formations are axially spaced along the expandable member, creating localized zones of increased friction contact with the bolt hole inner surface. This local quality enhancement improves retainability without requiring the entire device structure to be complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single bolt hole engaging device is used with several sizes of expandable members, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt hole engaging device is designed as a universal system that can accommodate multiple sizes of expandable members. The device includes a bearing surface that can engage with expandable members of different outer diameters, allowing a single engaging device to perform multiple functions across different bolt hole sizes. This multi-functionality improves adaptability while keeping the engaging device structure relatively simple.
3Strength
If the outer surface of the expandable member is made harder than the inner surface of the bolt hole, then the wear resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable member is constructed with a composite structure where the outer surface has different material properties than the inner surface. Specifically, the outer surface is made harder (through surface hardening or using harder material) to resist wear from contact with the bolt hole, while the inner surface maintains different properties for ease of expansion and actuation. This local differentiation of material properties improves wear resistance while managing manufacturing complexity through targeted material selection or treatment.
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 enables secure, fluid-tight separation of flanges with adjustable expansion and force application, accommodating various bolt hole diameters and flange widths, facilitating efficient gasket inspection and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable member can be retained within a bolt hole by friction between the inner surface of the bolt hole and the outer surface of the expandable member, following expansion thereof within the bolt hole.
Implementation Method 2
The frustoconical members and other portions moving relative to one another typically engage one another by means of bearing surfaces disposed between them.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating or spreading flanges (70) of pipes typically comprising two bolt hole engaging devices (20) and a force transmission system. The force transmission system is arranged for selective coupling with the or each bolt hole engaging device (20) and capable of exerting a force thereon for selective movement of the flanges (70) relative to one another in order to separate the pipes. The bolt hole engaging device (20) comprises an expandable member (40) that is arranged to be at least partially accommodated within the bolt hole before expansion. The bolt hole engaging device (20) also comprises an expander means (38, 54), arranged to expand the expandable member (40) such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable member (40) is expanded to contact the bolt hole. The expander means (38, 54) can comprise at least one wedge shaped member and an actuator means for causing relative movement between the wedge shaped member and the expandable member (40) to cause the expandable member (40) to expand. The expansion of an expandable member (40) within a bolt hole maintains a large surface area of the bolt hole engaging device (20) in contact with the bolt hole and thereby increases the friction between the device (20) and the flanges (70) to be spread, resulting in a more reliable apparatus.