Expandable Pipe Stopper With Hydraulic Sealing and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe stoppers require significant manual force to operate and often result in inconsistent sealing, leading to fluid leaks due to user error and difficulty in properly engaging with the pipeline.
Innovation Solution
A pipe stopper assembly featuring an expandable stopper body and pressure assembly that can be configured between expanded and contracted states, utilizing a piston and valve stem to control fluid flow, and a locking mechanism to secure the stopper in place, allowing for easy operation and effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation of the stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to significant force required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic pressure from the pipeline fluid to automatically expand the stopper body against the pipe wall. The fluid pressure acts on a piston or diaphragm mechanism that converts the linear motion into radial expansion of the stopper, eliminating the need for manual force while maintaining simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper is designed to be self-actuating where the pipeline fluid pressure itself provides the force needed to expand and seal the stopper. The system uses the available fluid pressure to perform the sealing action automatically without requiring external manual intervention or additional power sources
2Device complexity
If manual operation of the stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to user error and inconsistent sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation mechanism ensures consistent sealing by using the uniform fluid pressure to expand the stopper body evenly against the pipe wall. This eliminates variability caused by manual operation, ensuring reliable sealing every time the stopper is deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper design incorporates a feedback mechanism where the fluid pressure automatically adjusts the expansion force. As the stopper expands and seals, the pressure distribution provides natural feedback that ensures complete sealing engagement, preventing leakage while maintaining consistency across multiple operations
3Ease of operation
If the stopper body is expandable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable stopper uses the pipeline fluid pressure itself as the actuating medium, converting the existing fluid flow into the expansion force. This approach adds minimal complexity since it utilizes the already-present hydraulic system rather than introducing separate actuators or power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper transitions from a static to a dynamic structure that can change its geometry. The expandable design allows the stopper to adapt its shape and size to match the pipe internal diameter, improving sealing effectiveness while the expansion mechanism remains relatively simple through the use of flexible materials and straightforward mechanical linkages
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 efficient and reliable stopping and starting of fluid flow through pipelines with reduced manual effort, ensuring a consistent and leak-proof seal by utilizing the expandable stopper body and pressure assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing
Implementation Method 2
an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the expandable stopper body comprising a shell defining a stopper cavity and further defining an opening providing fluid communication to the stopper cavity through the shell; a pressure assembly received in the stopper cavity and defining a housing cavity; and a valve stem defining a stem fluid pathway, the valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position.