Flexible Pipe Coupling for Different Diameters and Axial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe coupling methods are cumbersome for joining pipes without boltable flanges, particularly when pipes have different diameters, as they require cumbersome tubular wraps and separate sheaths that fail to account for axial and radial expansion, and are limited in accommodating varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling apparatus featuring a tubular body with axially extending cavities and radially outward flanges, where clamping bands are strategically placed to provide radial compression and maintain axial alignment, allowing for flexible sealing and connection of pipes with different diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate sheath member is disposed around the gasket with clamp bands, then the gasket can be compressed to seal the joint, but the arrangement becomes cumbersome to install and insufficient for accounting for axial and radial expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sheath member and gasket into a single unitary structure where the gasket is disposed within the sheath member. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation of multiple components, reducing installation complexity while maintaining the sealing effectiveness achieved through the combined structure's compression against the pipe ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath member is segmented into multiple sections with expansion joints that allow axial and radial expansion. This segmentation enables the coupling apparatus to accommodate thermal and pressure-induced expansions without compromising the seal, while the modular design simplifies installation by allowing the segments to be assembled sequentially.
2Reliability
If a sleeve wraps around the gasket to compress it, then the joint can be sealed, but the arrangement is limited to pipes having the same diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath member is designed with flexible, expandable sections that can dynamically adjust to accommodate pipes of different diameters. The expansion joints and flexible material composition allow the sheath to conform to various pipe sizes, enabling the same coupling apparatus to seal joints between pipes of unequal diameters while maintaining effective compression of the gasket.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tapered intermediate pipe is disposed between pipes of different diameters, then connection is possible, but the solution is more costly to produce and presents an additional component that must be installed
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling apparatus is designed as a universal device that can connect pipes of different diameters directly without requiring intermediate tapered pipes. The expandable sheath member with adjustment mechanisms provides multi-functionality, allowing the same apparatus to adapt to various pipe size combinations, thereby eliminating the need for additional tapered transition components and simplifying the overall system.
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 apparatus effectively seals joints, maintains axial alignment, and accommodates radial forces, enabling the connection of pipes with varying diameters while being resistant to expansion and radial forces, thus improving the efficiency and versatility of pipe coupling.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the tubular body is radially compressed a greater amount than a second end of the tubular body
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of rods extend axially through the tubular body portion and each are disposed in a respective one of the plurality of axially extending cavities
Implementation Method 3
clamping bands are strategically placed to provide radial compression and maintain axial alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling apparatus includes a flexible tubular body portion having a body portion a plurality of annular flanges projecting radially outward from the body portion and defining a plurality of annular recesses around the body portion. The body portion can be radially compressed at each end to different degrees, thereby allowing pipes with different diameters to be coupled. The body portion includes a plurality of rods disposed within the material of the body portion. When the ends of the body portion are compressed at different amounts, an intermediate portion of the body portion is tapered, and the rods bend. Clamp bands may be retained within the recesses and may provide the clamping force to radially compress the ends of the body portion to the desired amount.