Expansion Joint Layout for Easier Mounting in Ash Transfer Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joints for piping systems that transfer powdery or granular materials are cumbersome to mount and remove, especially when located at great heights or in narrow places due to their heavy nature and the need to align multiple components at the same height.
Innovation Solution
The proposed expansion joint design includes an outer tube with flanges at both ends, an inner tube with flanges at the upstream and downstream ends, and a closure with an elastic portion connecting the outer and inner peripheral portions. This design allows for easier mounting and removal by spacing the downstream end of the inner tube and the closure far enough apart to prevent contact with transferred materials, and utilizing the axial direction spacing to facilitate workspace for connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the expansion joint is designed with the upstream ends of inner and outer tubes at substantially the same height, then the structure is compact, but the mounting work becomes cumbersome due to alignment requirements at great heights or in narrow places
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement from a horizontal alignment (same height) to a vertical arrangement (different heights in axial direction). The upstream end of the outer tube is positioned higher than the upstream end of the inner tube, creating a height difference that provides mounting clearance and eliminates the need for precise horizontal alignment at great heights or in narrow places.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the downstream end of the inner tube and the closure are positioned far apart, then the closure is protected from contact with hot transferred material, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the axial direction (vertical dimension) to space the downstream end of the inner tube and the closure far apart, preventing hot material contact. The closure is positioned significantly lower than the downstream end of the inner tube, creating a protective distance without requiring complex additional components or mechanisms.
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 expansion joint design simplifies the mounting and removal process by providing a spaced configuration that prevents material contact with the closure and utilizes axial direction spacing for easier workspace access, thus improving handling and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a closure including an outer peripheral portion connected to the first flange, an inner peripheral portion connected to the middle flange, and an elastic portion connecting the outer peripheral portion to the inner peripheral portion
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion joint includes: an outer tube including first and second ends and extending therebetween, the outer tube including first and second flanges, the first being located at the first end, the second being located at the second end and connectable to a downstream pipe; an inner tube including third and fourth ends and extending therebetween, the inner tube being located inside the outer and including third and middle flanges, the third flange being located at the third end and connectable to the upstream pipe, the middle flange being located at a middle portion between the third and fourth ends; and a closure including an outer peripheral portion connected to the first flange, an inner peripheral portion connected to the middle flange, and an elastic portion connecting the outer and inner peripheral portions. The first end is spaced from the third and located between the third and fourth ends.