Grooved Foam Pipe Insulation for Clamp Fitting Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe insulation systems are laborious and time-consuming to assemble at clamp fittings, as they require cutting and re-gluing, which weakens the insulating effect.
Innovation Solution
A pipe insulation system with an insulating jacket made of foam, featuring a design with alternating grooves and elevations that allows easy installation over clamp fittings by reducing resistance, eliminating the need for cutting and re-gluing, using a clamping ear that fits into a groove and an elevation for compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the insulating jacket is pushed over the clamp fitting without modifications, then the insulating effect is maintained, but the assembly becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming due to high resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating jacket is segmented with grooves and elevations that allow it to be divided into functional zones. The grooves create separation points that enable the jacket to flex and accommodate the clamp fitting without requiring cutting or complex manipulation, thus improving ease of assembly while maintaining insulation integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves and elevations are pre-formed on the insulating jacket during manufacturing. This preliminary structuring allows the jacket to naturally accommodate the clamp fitting during assembly without requiring on-site modifications such as cutting or re-gluing, significantly reducing assembly time and maintaining the insulating effect.
2Ease of manufacture
If the insulating jacket is cut open and re-glued at the clamp fitting area, then assembly becomes possible, but the insulating effect is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating jacket incorporates grooves and elevations that segment the structure into functional zones. This segmentation allows the jacket to flex and accommodate the clamp fitting without breaking the continuous insulation layer, thereby maintaining the insulating effect while enabling easy assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating jacket is designed with flexible grooves and elevations that allow the material to deform and accommodate the clamp fitting. This flexibility enables the jacket to wrap around the fitting without requiring cutting or re-gluing, preserving the continuous insulating barrier and maintaining thermal reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insulating jacket is made completely smooth, then manufacturing is simpler, but assembly over clamp fittings becomes extremely difficult due to lack of compression points
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating jacket is segmented with grooves and elevations that create specific compression points and flexible zones. This segmentation provides defined areas where the jacket can compress to accommodate the clamp fitting, enabling easy assembly while adding minimal structural complexity through regular, repeating patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating jacket features local variations in structure with grooves and elevations positioned at specific locations. These local structural changes provide targeted compression points that facilitate assembly over clamp fittings, while the rest of the jacket maintains a simple, smooth appearance. The grooves and elevations are strategically placed to provide functionality without excessive complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pipe insulation (1) comprises an insulating jacket (2), in particular made of foam, wherein the insulating jacket (2) extends around a central axis (M) and completely surrounds a cavity (3) for receiving a pipe (4), and wherein the surface (5) facing the cavity (3) has a plurality of protrusions (6) and grooves (7) located between two protrusions (6). Viewed in cross-section transverse to the central axis (M), each groove (7) is located diametrically opposite each protrusion (6) to the cavity (3) or to the central axis (M).