Compact Flange Fitting Training Device With Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange fitting training devices are hazardous due to their large and heavy design, which poses safety risks and does not adequately ensure quality and craftsmanship, as they often require flanges to be connected with ideal alignment, failing to provide a comprehensive test of a flange fitter's competence.
Innovation Solution
A compact flange fitting device with a support element that connects the second flange to the frame, allowing it to be supported in both uncoupled and coupled states, enabling realistic simulation of varying flange orientations and alignments, thus ensuring safety and thorough testing of a flange fitter's skills without the need for large pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipeline-based flange training devices are used, then flange connections can be tested, but the device becomes large and heavy, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of supporting and positioning flanges from the traditional heavy pipeline structure. By removing the unnecessary pipeline components and retaining only the critical support and positioning functions through the frame and support element, the device achieves its testing purpose with significantly reduced weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the actual flange installation scenario. Instead of using full-scale pipelines, it replicates the essential geometric relationships and positioning requirements of real flange connections on a compact frame, allowing realistic training without the weight and complexity of actual pipeline systems.
2Reliability
If traditional pipeline-based flange training devices are used, then flange connections can be tested, but the device becomes complex and hazardous when connections are broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of supporting and positioning flanges from the traditional heavy pipeline structure. By removing the unnecessary pipeline components and retaining only the critical support and positioning functions through the frame and support element, the device achieves its testing purpose with significantly reduced weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the actual flange installation scenario. Instead of using full-scale pipelines, it replicates the essential geometric relationships and positioning requirements of real flange connections on a compact frame, allowing realistic training without the weight and complexity of actual pipeline systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If flanges are connected with ideal alignment only, then connection quality can be ensured, but the device fails to test flange fitter competence in realistic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustability and variability into the flange positioning system. The support element can accommodate different alignment conditions and orientations, allowing the device to transition from fixed ideal alignment to dynamic realistic scenarios, thereby testing the fitter's ability to handle various practical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changes in alignment parameters such as angle, position, and orientation of the flanges. By allowing these parameters to vary from ideal to realistic conditions, the device can test the fitter's competence across a range of scenarios while maintaining controllable precision for quality assurance.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
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AI summary
Device for testing and/or training a flange fitter, wherein the device comprises a frame (6) for placing the device on a ground surface and at least one pair of flanges (4) which are mutually connectable by means of a flange connection, wherein a first flange (1) in the flange pair (4) is connected to the frame (6), wherein the second flange (2) in the flange pair (4) is connected by means of a support element (3) to the frame (6) in order to support the second flange (2) in at least an uncoupled state of the flange pair (4).