Flange Pipe Joint Alignment With Removable Centering Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling fittings and pipes using flange connections face challenges such as the need for complex alignment processes and the inability to reuse centering devices, leading to inefficiencies and material waste.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a centering device with centering elements and bolts that aligns the pipe sections and flange rings precisely, allowing for easy assembly and subsequent removal, enabling the reuse of the centering device for multiple alignment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a centering device is used to align pipe sections and flange rings during assembly, then alignment precision is improved, but the device cannot be reused leading to material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is divided into removable centering elements that can be separated from the main structure. These segmented elements can be detached after alignment and reused for subsequent assembly operations, eliminating material waste while preserving alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering elements are designed to be temporarily attached during alignment and then removed for recovery and reuse. This approach allows the alignment function to be performed without permanently consuming the centering device, thereby preventing material waste while maintaining precise alignment capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment processes are used to assemble fittings and pipes, then positioning accuracy is improved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering elements are pre-positioned on the fitting before the pipe section is installed. This preliminary action establishes the alignment reference in advance, simplifying the subsequent assembly process while ensuring accurate positioning without requiring complex real-time alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering elements act as intermediary components between the fitting and the pipe section during assembly. These intermediaries provide a simple mechanical interface that guides precise positioning without requiring complex alignment tools or procedures, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assembling a fitting (2) with a pipe piece (3) by means of a flange connection (5). Centering elements (6) are arranged on the fitting (2) circumferentially at a distance from one another, and centering pins (16) are inserted into centering openings (7) of the centering elements (6) and into receiving openings (8) of the fitting (2). A collar surface (22) of the pipe piece (3) is aligned on aligning surfaces (17) of the centering elements (6). A loose flange ring (11) is then aligned on the centering pins (16) using the through-openings (9) of the flange ring. The fitting (2) and the pipe piece (3) aligned with each other are connected by means of the flange ring (11) and connection elements (23), and in the process the centering elements (6) and the centering pins (16) are removed. The invention also relates to a method with the same effect for assembling two pipe pieces (3) using a flange connection (5) and a centering device (1) for the assembly.