Gripper Ring Blade Insertion for Low-Load Pipe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings for plastic pipes, particularly PE pipes, require high radial compression loads to ensure a fluid-tight seal, often necessitating internal stiffening liners and competing factors for optimal sealing and grip, which can be inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling design featuring an annular gripper ring with blade elements inserted at a predetermined angle into the pipe's surface, allowing for lower compressive loading and potentially eliminating the need for stiffening liners, utilizing a clamp to apply radial inward force and maintain a fluid-tight seal through blade insertion and elastic deformation under axial loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high radial compression loads are applied to ensure fluid-tight seal, then sealing efficiency is improved, but pipe collapse risk increases and stiffening liners are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: a compression seal for fluid-tight sealing and blade elements for mechanical grip. This allows the compression seal to operate at optimal radial compression without requiring excessive force, while the blade elements provide additional grip independently, preventing pipe collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The compression seal acts as an intermediary element that provides fluid-tight sealing without directly contributing to grip. This allows the system to achieve sealing at lower radial compression loads, reducing the risk of pipe collapse while maintaining reliable sealing
2Force
If high radial compression is applied to ensure sufficient grip on pipe, then grip strength is improved, but compression seal efficiency becomes suboptimal due to excessive compression
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is segmented from the sealing function. Blade elements provide mechanical grip through insertion and engagement with the pipe wall, while the compression seal provides sealing independently. This allows each component to operate at its optimal compression level without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of radial compression from a single high-value requirement to a distributed load where blade elements engage at lower compression levels, allowing the compression seal to operate at its optimal compression parameter for efficient sealing
3Force
If blade elements are inserted at higher angles, then grip resistance to axial loads is improved, but insertion depth and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade elements are designed with flexibility to dynamically adapt their insertion angle based on operational requirements. The carrier members allow the blades to engage at optimized angles for axial load resistance while maintaining manageable insertion depths through elastic deformation capabilities
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 the required compressive loading, enhances resistance to axial loads, and maintains a fluid-tight seal with lower operational forces, accommodating pipe irregularities and varying insertion angles, while providing a more efficient sealing mechanism that adapts with increasing fluid pressure.
Implementation Method 1
blade elements inserted at a predetermined angle into the pipe's surface, allowing for lower compressive loading and potentially eliminating the need for stiffening liners, utilizing a clamp to apply radial inward force and maintain a fluid-tight seal through blade insertion and elastic deformation under axial loads
Implementation Method 2
a clamp which acts to apply a radially-inward compressive load on the gripper ring in order to displace the gripper ring against an external peripheral surface of a wall of the pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe connector or coupling for providing a coupling to a pipe, the pipe coupling comprising: at least one gripper ring (3) which receives a pipe (P) therewithin, wherein the at least one gripper ring (3) comprises a gripper (11) which includes a plurality of blade elements (17) which are displaceable between a first, pipe-receiving configuration in which the pipe (P) is receivable within the at least one gripper ring (3) and a second, inwardly-displaced inserted configuration in which the blade elements (17) are inserted into an external wall (S) of the pipe (P); and a clamp (7) for applying a radially-inward compressive load on the at least one gripper ring (3) to displace the blade elements (17) thereof from the pipe-receiving configuration to the inserted configuration.