Formed Pipe End Geometry With Sealing Ring for Material-Efficient Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pipe end-sections for pipeline connections, particularly those adhering to BS5200 dimensions, require excessive steel material and suffer from reduced material properties due to the forming process, which compromises sealing functionality and mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A formed pipe end-section with an annular bead, chamfer, and radial recess is created through press-forming, allowing for a geometry that aligns and seals with an adapter's inner cone using a circular sealing ring, reducing material flow and enhancing material properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pipe end-section is formed according to BS5200 dimensions, then the connection geometry and sealing function are achieved, but excessive steel material is required and material properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidsteel material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the pipe end-section by introducing a radial recess with a circular sealing ring and modifying the bead geometry. This allows the connection to achieve sealing functionality through the sealing ring rather than relying solely on metal-to-metal line contact, thereby reducing the required pipe diameter and material quantity while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The circular sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the pipe end-section and the adapter's inner cone. This sealing ring provides the sealing function that would otherwise require excessive metal material, allowing the connection to achieve the same sealing effect with reduced material quantity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the pipe end-section is formed by plastic deformation, then the connection geometry is created, but material properties such as tensile strength and pressure resistance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection geometryVSAvoidtensile strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the forming parameters by introducing a radial recess and modifying the bead geometry to reduce plastic deformation intensity. The forming process parameters are adjusted to minimize material flow while still achieving the required connection geometry, thereby preserving material strength properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the sealing function from the metal-to-metal contact and transfers it to a dedicated sealing ring. This allows the pipe end-section geometry to be simplified, reducing the plastic deformation required and thereby minimizing the degradation of material strength properties during the forming process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If the pipe diameter is reduced to match available tube sizes, then material usage is optimized, but the connection geometry cannot achieve the required sealing function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteel materialVSAvoidsealing function
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circular sealing ring serves as an intermediary that enables sealing functionality in smaller diameter pipes. The sealing ring compensates for the reduced material availability by providing a dedicated sealing surface that engages with the adapter's inner cone, ensuring reliable sealing even when the pipe diameter is reduced to match available tube sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the sealing mechanism parameter from metal-to-metal line contact to a sealing ring-based seal. This parameter change allows smaller diameter pipes to achieve the same sealing reliability as larger pipes would provide through metal-to-metal contact, thereby enabling optimization of material usage without compromising sealing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables efficient connection and sealing while minimizing material usage and maintaining mechanical integrity, providing enhanced tensile strength and pressure resistance.

Implementation Method 1

The formed pipe end-section is created through press-forming, allowing for a geometry that aligns and seals with an adapter's inner cone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a radial recess accommodating a circular sealing ring, wherein the chamfer and the sealing ring are respectively provided to engage an inner cone of the adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical sealing: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the chamfer and the sealing ring are respectively provided to engage an inner cone of the adapter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3662188B1Formed pipe end-section of a pipeline and pipe screw-connection
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 DANFOSS AS
  • EP3662188B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Formed pipe end-section of a pipeline for connecting the pipeline at an end and pipe screw-connection for reversibly connecting a pipeline having a formed pipe end- section to an adapter having a front face at a connecting end and an inner cone extending from the front face, the adapter forming a tubular member for passing through a medium.