Flexible Pipe Insulation Spacer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible line elements with corrugated sections and thermal insulation face challenges in attaching insulation without compromising the service life of the bellows or corrugated hose, particularly due to space constraints and the risk of damaging the hose during welding, and require cost-effective and simple manufacturing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible line element with a corrugated section and terminal connection, featuring a stable spacer that overlaps the corrugated section and is radially spaced, allowing for external thermal insulation without contact, using a non-positive connection method such as a V-flange clamp or material bonding like spot welding, ensuring the insulation maintains a radial distance and does not impair the hose's mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding is used to attach the substructure to the bellows or corrugated hose, then the insulation can be securely attached at a distance, but the bellows or corrugated hose made from thin-walled material may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a substructure as an intermediary component between the insulation and the bellows/corrugated hose. The substructure is attached to the insulation and extends toward the bellows, maintaining a radial clearance that prevents direct contact. This mediator allows the insulation to be securely positioned without requiring welding that would damage the thin-walled bellows material.
2Strength
If laser welding is used to connect the bellows or corrugated hose and substructure, then a strong connection is achieved, but no further welding connections can be made afterwards due to risk of damaging the existing weld seam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection process into distinct stages: first attaching the substructure to the insulation, then attaching the bellows/corrugated hose to the substructure. This segmentation allows different connection methods to be used at different stages, enabling subsequent welding operations on the bellows without compromising the integrity of the first connection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the substructure is designed to maintain radial clearance from the bellows or corrugated hose, then the service life is extended, but the substructure becomes more complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane or thin-walled structure as the substructure that can radially deflect to maintain clearance from the bellows/corrugated hose during expansion and contraction cycles. This flexible substructure achieves the required radial clearance and extended service life while avoiding the complexity of rigid, precisely-engineered support structures.
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 solution extends the service life of the flexible line element by preventing insulation contact with the hose, allowing for simple and cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining the hose's decoupling effect and avoiding the risks associated with traditional welding methods.
Implementation Method 1
flexible line elements of the type mentioned above are regularly provided with a provided in particular thermally effective insulation, which is arranged on the outside of the flexible conduit element
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible conductor element is proposed, comprising a bellows (1) or corrugated hose, which has at least one corrugated section (1a) and an adjoining terminal connection section (1b), characterized in that on at least one side of the arrangement in the connection section (1b) a self-stabilizing spacer (3) is connected to the bellows (1) or corrugated hose, which spacer (3) at least partially overlaps the corrugated section (1a) and is radially spaced from it, wherein an outer component (6) made of an insulating material for the external insulation of the flexible conductor element can be arranged on the spacer (3).