Hammerless Pipe Union Handle Locking to Reduce Nut Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe union systems in the oil and gas industries face issues with wear and tear of wing nuts, leading to increased costs and time due to the need for frequent replacements, especially in high-pressure drilling mud systems.
Innovation Solution
A hammerless pipe union device featuring a nut with equi-spaced sockets or protrusions for handle attachment, along with a retaining pin mechanism for locking, which allows for increased torque application without relying on hammer strikes, and an optional removable hammer pad for additional torque, reducing wear and tear on the nut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hammer unions with wing nuts are used for fastening pipes, then the pipes can be joined and disconnected, but the wing nuts suffer wear and tear requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the hammer strike function from the nut itself by extracting the impact reception surface and replacing it with a dedicated handle attachment mechanism. The nut body is modified to include socket openings that accept a separate handle tool, eliminating the need for hammer strikes directly on the nut and thereby preventing wear and tear on the nut structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A handle attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's manual torque application and the nut. Instead of directly striking the nut with a hammer, the handle transmits rotational force through a controlled interface (socket and pin mechanism), protecting the nut from impact damage while still enabling effective tightening and loosening.
2Reliability
If hammer unions are used for high-pressure fluid systems, then the pipes can be coupled, but the wing nuts require frequent replacement due to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into distinct functional components: the nut body for threading and securing, the handle attachment mechanism for torque application, and the removable handle for user operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the nut focused on secure fastening without the added complexity and cost of integrated hammer strike surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wrenches are used with hammer unions, then torque can be applied, but specific alignment and engagement of multiple tabs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The handle attachment mechanism provides a universal interface with multiple equi-spaced sockets around the nut perimeter, allowing the same handle to be engaged at various positions depending on accessibility requirements. This multi-position capability simplifies operation compared to traditional wrenches that require precise alignment with specific tabs, while the handle itself remains a simple, standardized tool.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for forming a union of pipe ends includes two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment to an end of a length of pipe at one end and for joining to the other of the two connectors at the other end and a nut having a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of one or both of the two pipe connectors. The outer lateral surface of the nut includes a plurality of handle connection structures. The device includes a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads. The handle has a nut attachment end configured to engage the handle connection structures, and is provided with a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut.