Flexible Pipe Cap with Compressible Beads for Secure Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open-ended pipe caps are difficult to install and remove, often fall off during transportation and handling, and can damage pipe threads due to excessive interference, while existing solutions fail to provide adequate impact resistance and expansion capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible open-ended cap with a tubular body featuring an inwardly-extending radial rim, a finger grip member connected to a tear strip, and multiple compressible longitudinal fit beads that provide secure contact with the pipe surface, allowing for easy installation and removal without damaging the threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is intentionally undersized to provide higher interference fit, then the cap is more secure on the pipe, but the cap becomes very difficult to remove and may damage the threads
Solution Approach 1:
The cap transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its interference fit characteristics. The flexible material allows the cap to be easily installed with minimal interference, then maintains secure fit through elastic deformation, and finally allows easy removal by overcoming the elastic retention force
Solution Approach 2:
The interference fit parameters change dynamically based on the operational phase. During installation, the flexible material reduces interference; during service, elastic properties maintain secure fit; during removal, the interference can be overcome without thread damage due to the material's flexibility
2Strength
If the cap has uniform wall thickness for structural integrity, then the cap is strong, but the cap cannot accommodate expansion due to weather extremes
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is made from flexible material that can deform its wall structure to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The material's inherent flexibility allows the cap to expand and contract with temperature changes while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the need for expansion joints or complex wall thickness variations
Solution Approach 2:
The cap utilizes flexible material properties that combine strength with elasticity. The material composition allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity for strength and elastic deformability for weather expansion accommodation
3Strength
If the cap is made rigid for impact resistance, then the cap provides protection, but the cap is difficult to install and may damage the pipe threads
Solution Approach 1:
The cap transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its interference fit characteristics. The flexible material allows the cap to be easily installed with minimal interference, then maintains secure fit through elastic deformation, and finally allows easy removal by overcoming the elastic retention force
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material inherently provides cushioning during installation by deforming to accommodate the pipe end, preventing impact damage to threads. The material absorbs installation forces that would otherwise be transmitted rigidly to the pipe threads
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 flexible cap ensures secure fit and easy removal, provides impact resistance, and accommodates expansion due to weather extremes, enhancing handling and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular body having an interior wall surface having multiple compressible longitudinal fit beads extending inwardly from the interior wall surface
Data Source
AI summary
An open ended cap for a pipe is provided comprising a flexible tubular body wherein one end has an inwardly-extending radial rim extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body of the end cap. The tubular body may include a finger grip member extending inwardly from an inner periphery of the rim and connected to a tear strip extending across the rim and downwardly along at least a portion of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the tubular body has an interior wall surface having multiple compressible longitudinal fit beads extending from the interior wall surface and spaced about the circumference of the interior wall surface and which are configured to provide contact with the external surface of a pipe upon being inserted into the end cap. Both a tear strip and longitudinal fit beads may also be provided in combination.