Flexible Pipe Loop with Six Degrees of Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible pipe solutions fail to accommodate rotational movements and consume excessive space, limiting their ability to mitigate stresses on piping systems caused by thermal expansion, seismic shifts, and misalignment, which can lead to pipe breakages and hazards.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pipe loop configuration that allows six degrees of freedom, comprising a first flexible tube member connected perpendicularly to two parallel flexible tube members, enabling movement in x, y, z dimensions and rotational flexibility using 90° and 180° elbows, while minimizing space consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing flexible pipe solutions are used, then flexibility in X, Y, and Z directions is provided, but rotational movement accommodation is limited and space consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-plane flexible pipe arrangements to a three-dimensional configuration using orthogonal tube members (first, second, and third members arranged perpendicular to each other). This spatial arrangement enables the pipe loop to accommodate six degrees of freedom including rotational movements, significantly expanding the range of motion while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe loop employs dynamic elements including flexible tube members that can bend and deform, bellows sections that expand and contract, and expansion joints that allow multi-directional movement. These dynamic components enable the system to adapt to thermal expansion, seismic shifts, and misalignment while occupying minimal space through controlled deformation rather than requiring large static clearance volumes.
2Reliability
If flexible pipe structures are added to divided pipe sections, then stress relief is provided, but the structure takes up large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the second flexible tube member is positioned within the loop formed by the first and third tube members. This nested arrangement allows the pipe loop to provide comprehensive stress relief through six degrees of freedom while minimizing the overall footprint and space occupied by the flexible pipe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging tube members in three-dimensional orthogonal directions rather than single-plane configurations, the patent achieves superior stress relief capability in all spatial dimensions including rotational movements, while the vertical and horizontal utilization of space reduces the overall area occupied on any single plane.
3Ease of operation
If traditional flexible pipe solutions are used, then some flexibility is provided, but rotational movement and full stress accommodation are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The orthogonal arrangement of first, second, and third flexible tube members creates three-dimensional flexibility that accommodates rotational movements around multiple axes. This spatial configuration provides six degrees of freedom including pitch, roll, and yaw rotations, significantly enhancing adaptability beyond traditional single-plane flexible pipe solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe loop structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides linear flexibility in X, Y, and Z directions through the orthogonal tube arrangement, accommodates rotational movements through the three-dimensional configuration, relieves thermal expansion stresses, compensates for seismic shifts, and tolerates misalignment. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive ease of operation and adaptability within a unified system.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible pipe loop including three flexible tube members: a first flexible tube member connected to a pipe run, a second flexible tube member connected to the first tube member, and a third flexible tube member connected to the second flexible tube member, the second flexible tube member and the third flexible tube member arranged such that they are substantially parallel. The configuration of the three flexible tube members permits six degrees of freedom of the flexible pipe loop.