Expansion Repair Coupling Telescopic Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for repairing damaged underground plastic or PVC pipes are difficult and costly, requiring extensive excavation and bending of pipes, which can lead to further damage and leaks due to the inability to twist both ends of the coupling for a secure seal.
Innovation Solution
An expansion repair coupling with a tubular body, spigot, and locking mechanism that allows for the coupling to be placed between the ends of a cut pipe, enabling twisting to wipe adhesive and prevent leaks, without needing to bend the pipe, and is adaptable to various pipe sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional repair methods are used with standard couplings, then pipe sections can be joined, but the ability to twist both ends for proper sealing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling incorporates a telescoping mechanism with a movable inner tube that allows the coupling to expand and contract. This dynamic structure enables the installer to push the coupling onto one pipe end, extend it to reach the second pipe end, and twist both ends simultaneously for proper sealing, then lock the position to maintain the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into multiple segments including an outer tube, an inner telescoping tube, and locking components. This segmentation allows the inner tube to move independently within the outer tube, providing the necessary extension and retraction capability while maintaining structural integrity for reliable sealing.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe ends are bent to fit into couplings, then coupling installation is possible, but pipe damage and additional leaks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping design allows the coupling to dynamically adjust its length to accommodate the distance between pipe ends without requiring the pipes to be bent. The inner tube extends to bridge the gap and contracts during installation, eliminating the need for pipe deformation and associated damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling changes its effective length parameter through the telescoping action of the inner tube. This parameter change allows the coupling to adapt to varying distances between pipe ends while maintaining a straight configuration, avoiding the need to bend pipes and preventing associated damage.
3Ease of operation
If extensive excavation is performed to accommodate pipe bending, then coupling installation becomes possible, but repair time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic telescoping mechanism allows the coupling to be installed in a straightforward linear sequence: push onto first pipe end, extend to second end, twist for sealing, and lock. This eliminates the need for extensive excavation and complex pipe bending operations, significantly reducing repair time and labor costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling is designed to fit various pipe sizes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling achieves versatility through parameter changes in the telescoping mechanism. The inner tube can extend to different lengths and the locking mechanism can accommodate various diameters, allowing a single coupling design to fit multiple pipe sizes without requiring complex adjustable components or multiple specialized couplings.
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion repair coupling for interconnecting two facing ends of a cut pipe comprises a tubular body, a spigot slidably and rotatably received therein and a locking mechanism to selectively lock or unlock the rotation of the tubular body relative to the spigot. An end of the spigot extends outward from the tubular body to receive a coupling that connects to one end of the cut pipe. A radially enlarged section on the spigot has a sealing mechanism that sealably engages an interior surface of the tubular body. The locking mechanism, engaged by collapsing the spigot into the tubular body or disengaged by extending the spigot therefrom, facilitates a push and twist connection at both ends of the pipe to wipe the adhesive disposed therebetween and obtain a better seal. Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a socket having spigot engaging members that cooperatively engage socket engaging members on the spigot.