Pipe Element Welding Root Design for Low-Resistance Fire Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire extinguishing system pipelines face challenges with corrosion resistance and flow resistance due to weld spatters and irregularities at connections, leading to increased equipment needs and pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the collection of weld spatters during welding using a container positioned within the pipeline elements, ensuring a complete circumferential weld seam with a root that covers edge irregularities, improving surface uniformity and reducing flow resistance, followed by a polymer-based coating for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to join hollow bodies to create complex pipe elements, then structural integrity and pressure tightness are achieved, but weld spatter accumulates on the inside surface increasing flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful weld spatter is extracted from the pipe interior by positioning a collection container inside the hollow body during welding. The container captures spatter as it is generated, preventing accumulation on the internal surface and maintaining smooth flow conditions while still allowing welding to proceed for structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A collection container serves as an intermediary element introduced into the welding zone. This container acts as a mediator that intercepts weld spatter before it can deposit on the pipe interior, allowing the welding process to continue while protecting the flow surface from contamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe connectors are used in transition areas between hollow bodies, then assembly of complex pipe elements is simplified, but flow resistance increases and pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process merges the hollow bodies into a unified structure with smooth transitions. By welding directly between hollow bodies rather than using separate connectors, the invention creates continuous flow paths without the interruptions caused by connector fittings, thereby eliminating additional flow resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Quantity of substance
If simple metals are used for pipe elements, then cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance is insufficient without elaborate passivation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure by applying a polymer coating layer over the metal pipe surface. This composite approach combines the mechanical strength and cost advantages of simple metals with the corrosion resistance of polymer materials, achieving reliable protection without requiring expensive corrosion-resistant alloys or complex passivation treatments.
4Reliability
If large parts of the piping system are filled with gas in standby mode, then corrosion resistance is improved, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the protective parameter from environmental control (gas filling) to surface property modification (polymer coating). By applying corrosion-inhibiting polymer coatings directly to the pipe interior, the system achieves corrosion protection in the same manner as gas-filled systems but without the complexity and cost of gas filling infrastructure, while maintaining the ability to use simple metals.
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 method achieves improved flow properties and corrosion resistance in complex pipeline elements, reducing the need for more powerful pumps or larger pipe diameters, while ensuring a uniform surface suitable for polymer coating.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer coating described therein is extremely robust due to the ionic bonding of a polymer-based coating material to the pipe surface
Implementation Method 2
welding the first hollow body to the second hollow body in the welding zone so that the pipe element is obtained
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a pipe element (100), particularly a pipe element (100) of a fire-extinguishing facility. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps: providing a first hollow body (101) and a second hollow body (102); positioning the hollow bodies in relation to one other in a welding zone (S) such that the hollow bodies can be connected in the welding zone (S); positioning a collection container (51) inside the first and/or second hollow body in the region of the welding zone (S); welding the first hollow body (101) to the second hollow body (102) in the welding zone (S) in order to produce the pipe element (100), a weld seam (109) being formed all the way around, which comprises a root (112) extending on the inner side (118, 119) of the pipe element (100); and collecting weld spatter generated on the inner side (118, 119) of the pipe element (100) during the welding process, by means of the collection container (51).