Flexible Pipe End Fitting With Exposed Wire Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Longer end fittings in reinforced thermoplastic pipes increase weight and minimum bend radius, complicating handling and installation, particularly when connections are made on site.

Innovation Solution

A flexible pipe design with a first pipe layer of metallic wires partially exposed at one end, secured by a concentric end fitting and a retaining material, such as an adhesive, to improve load transfer and allow for shorter end fittings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If longer end fittings are used to ensure adequate load transfer between the reinforcement layer and end fitting, then the load transfer efficiency is improved, but the weight of the fitting increases and the minimum bend radius increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer efficiencyVSAvoidend fitting weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The matrix material is selectively removed from the first pipe layer at the end region before assembling the end fitting, pre-exposing the metallic wires to receive the retaining material. This preliminary preparation enables effective load transfer with a shorter end fitting length, resolving the contradiction between load transfer efficiency and fitting weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A retaining material (adhesive or epoxy resin) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the exposed metallic wires and the mounting member of the end fitting. This retaining material bonds the metallic wires to the mounting member, ensuring adequate load transfer while allowing the end fitting to be shorter and lighter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If longer end fittings are used to ensure adequate load transfer, then the load transfer efficiency is improved, but the ease of handling and installation deteriorates due to increased minimum bend radius

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer efficiencyVSAvoidease of handling and installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The selective removal of matrix material from the first pipe layer at the end region is performed in advance, exposing the metallic wires before end fitting assembly. This preliminary action enables effective load transfer through the retaining material while allowing the use of shorter end fittings with smaller bend radii, improving ease of handling and installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining material serves as an intermediary that bonds the exposed metallic wires to the mounting member, ensuring adequate load transfer efficiency. This enables the end fitting to be shortened, reducing the minimum bend radius and improving the ease of handling and installation during on-site connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If more matrix material is present in the first pipe layer at the end region, then the structural integrity of the pipe is improved, but the load transfer between metallic wires and end fitting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of pipeVSAvoidload transfer between metallic wires and end fitting

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first pipe layer is segmented into two regions: a main region where metallic wires are encapsulated in matrix material for structural integrity, and an end region where matrix material is selectively removed to expose metallic wires. This segmentation enables both structural integrity in the pipe body and effective load transfer at the end region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The matrix material distribution is made non-uniform: the main body of the pipe maintains full matrix encapsulation for structural integrity, while the end region has reduced matrix material to expose metallic wires. This local quality change enables effective bonding with the retaining material and mounting member for adequate load transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces material use and weight, enabling easier handling and installation by allowing smaller bend radii and enhancing load transfer between the pipe and end fitting.

Implementation Method 1

a retaining material applied to the exposed portion of the metallic wires securing the metallic wires to the mounting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20260043508A1Flexible pipe and method of connecting an end fitting to a pipe body of a flexible pipe

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 POLYFLOW LLC

AI summary

A flexible pipe comprising a pipe body, an end fitting, and a retaining material. The pipe body has a first pipe layer formed of a tape comprising a plurality of metallic wires encapsulated in a thermoplastic matrix material. The first pipe layer is at least partially free of the matrix material over a length of the pipe body at a first end thereof so exposing a portion of the metallic wires. The first end of the pipe body is mounted in the end fitting. The end fitting comprises a mounting member concentric to the first pipe layer. The retaining material is applied to the exposed portion of the metallic wires securing the metallic wires to the mounting member. There is also provided a method of connecting an end fitting to a pipe body of a flexible pipe.