Hinge Assembly for Blind Flange Mounting on Pipe Weld Neck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge assemblies for blind flanges in piping systems are complex, bulky, and require specialized equipment for operation, failing to accommodate flanges with thickness tolerances and necessitating manual operation without additional equipment for frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly comprising a front and rear assembly with tapered sleeves and studs, shim washers, and hinge pins, allowing for secure and pivotable mounting of blind flanges to weld neck flanges, enabling manual operation without specialized equipment and accommodating thickness variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hinge assemblies are used to mount blind flanges, then the blind flange can be pivotably mounted, but the assembly becomes complex and bulky requiring multiple parts and specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate link plates (front link plates and rear link plates) that can be independently positioned and connected. Each link plate is secured to the flange face using multiple fasteners distributed across the plate, creating modular segments that simplify the overall assembly process and reduce complexity compared to a single integrated hinge structure.
2Reliability
If existing hinge assemblies are used to mount blind flanges, then the blind flange can be pivotably mounted, but specialized equipment such as cranes or booms is required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed to be self-contained and self-operable through the link plate mechanism. The distributed fastener system and modular link plates allow the assembly to maintain structural integrity and enable pivoting motion without requiring external specialized equipment such as cranes, booms, or clamps, making it suitable for manual operation in various industrial settings.
3Reliability
If existing hinge assemblies are used to mount blind flanges, then the blind flange can be pivotably mounted, but the assembly cannot easily accommodate flanges having tolerances on thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly accommodates thickness tolerances by allowing adjustment of the link plate positioning and fastener placement. The modular link plate design enables the assembly to adapt to variations in flange thickness within specified tolerances, maintaining proper hinge function and pivoting capability across different flange dimensions without requiring custom-designed assemblies for each thickness variation.
4Strength
If multiple parts are used in the hinge assembly, then the blind flange can be securely mounted, but the assembly becomes bulky and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The secure mounting is achieved through segmented link plates that are independently positioned and fastened to the flange face. This segmentation allows each component to be relatively simple in design and easier to manufacture, while the collective assembly of multiple secured segments provides the necessary mounting strength and stability, reducing overall installation difficulty compared to a single complex integrated structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly to pivotably mount a blind flange to a weld neck flange includes a front assembly having a front plate and a plurality of front link plates coupled to the front plate, the front plate having a plurality of openings, each opening in the front plate coupled to mechanical fasteners to secure the front plate to the blind flange, a rear assembly pivotably mounted to the front assembly and having a rear plate and a plurality of rear link plates coupled to the rear plate, the rear plate having a plurality of openings, each opening in the rear plate coupled to mechanical fasteners to secure the rear plate to the weld neck flange, each front link plate disposed between a pair of adjacent rear link plates, and a pin disposed through each front link plate and the pair of adjacent rear link plates.