Hinged Pipe Coupling Assembly for Leak-Tight Bonded Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupling assemblies are difficult to assemble, prone to failure, and often fail to form a tight seal between fluid conveying members and the environment, leading to media leakage or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly featuring arcuate coupling members with a hinge and latching arrangement, including parallel links and bonding fingers, which allows for easy assembly and secure sealing, maintaining electrical bonding in both open and closed positions, and accommodating various pipe sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional coupling assemblies are used, then the connection between fluid conveying members is established, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into separate modular components including first and second coupling members that can be independently handled and positioned. The bonding wires are also segmented into multiple wires (first bonding wire with first circumferential portions and axial portion, second bonding wire with second circumferential portions and axial portion) that can be independently routed and secured, simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are pre-configured with integrated bonding wire routing paths and securing mechanisms. The bonding wires are pre-positioned through circumferential portions along the coupling members and axial portions between them, with grooves and radial flanges already in place to guide and secure the wires, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly operations.
2Reliability
If conventional coupling assemblies are used, then connection is achieved, but the seal between pipe interior and ambient environment becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding wires function as flexible sealing elements that can conform to the contours of the coupling members and ferrules. The wires are routed circumferentially along the coupling members and through axial portions, creating a flexible barrier that prevents media escape while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly incorporates redundant bonding wires (both first and second bonding wires) that provide backup sealing paths. The grooves and radial flanges are pre-configured to secure multiple wire paths, ensuring that if one sealing path fails, alternative paths remain intact to maintain seal integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional coupling assemblies are used, then connection is established, but skilled artisans are required increasing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling members are designed as universal components that can accommodate different pipe sizes and configurations. The bonding wire routing system serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical bonding between coupling members and ferrules, creates sealing barriers against media leakage, and maintains electrical continuity. The grooves and radial flanges serve both structural support and wire routing guidance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding wires act as intermediary elements that simplify the connection process by providing a single integrated solution for mechanical attachment, sealing, and electrical continuity. Rather than requiring separate operations for threading, gasket installation, and electrical bonding, the bonding wires perform all these functions simultaneously through their circumferential and axial routing paths.
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 coupling assembly simplifies installation, enhances reliability, reduces manufacturing costs, and ensures continuous electrical and signal transmission while maintaining a tight seal, meeting redundancy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient cantilever members 250 may allow operation of the first and second bonding fingers 202a,b in different senses of motion
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly includes a coupling body defined by first and second arcuate coupling members each having a first end and a second end, a hinge arrangement for pivotally connecting the second ends of the first and second arcuate coupling members together such that the first and second arcuate coupling members are pivotally moveable between an open position and a closed position, the first and second arcuate coupling members surrounding a central axis of the coupling body when in the closed position, the first and second arcuate coupling members defining a circumferential gap between the second ends, the hinge arrangement including first and second links that are parallel and that are spaced-apart from one another, and a latching arrangement for latching the first ends of the first and second arcuate coupling members together to latch the first and second arcuate coupling members in the closed position.