Gasket Contact Mark Analysis for Flange Fastening Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack the ability to quickly and accurately determine the proper use of gaskets in piping flanges without relying on technical knowledge or expertise, leading to potential delays in addressing issues related to gasket troubles.
Innovation Solution
A determination system that captures images of used gaskets and analyzes contact marks formed during flange fastening, using distance calculations, ratio analysis, and environmental assessments to determine the state of gasket usage, including proper fastening force and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a system is designed to determine gasket usage state without technical expertise, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert inspection with an automated image analysis system using cameras and computer vision algorithms. The system captures images of contact marks on gaskets and automatically analyzes them to determine proper installation, eliminating the need for skilled personnel while maintaining accurate assessment through objective measurement criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis system that acts as a mediator between the gasket contact marks and the final determination of proper installation. The system uses image processing algorithms and reference comparison as intermediaries to translate visual contact mark patterns into objective installation quality assessments, ensuring precise measurement without requiring human expertise.
2Productivity
If automated image analysis is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the contact mark patterns through image capture and uses this copy for analysis against reference patterns. By working with image copies rather than physical inspection, the system achieves rapid automated determination of gasket installation quality, significantly improving productivity while the complexity is managed through software-based reference comparison libraries.
Data Source
AI summary
A determination system includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a gasket already used for flange fastening and an analyzing unit that analyzes, based on the image captured, a contact mark formed on the gasket as a result of contact between the gasket and a pair of flanges when the flanges are fastened through the gasket. The analyzing unit includes a detection unit that detects, in the captured image, a contact mark region indicative of the contact mark and enclosed with a first line and a second line, a distance calculation unit that calculates a distance between the first line and the second line, and a state determination unit that determines, based on at least the distance, whether the flanges are properly fastened through the gasket.