Hinged Pipe Cover Sections for Bent Connection Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for thermally insulated pipes face difficulties in creating pipe connections due to mechanical stresses caused by the rigidity of the pipe covering sections, especially when pipe ends are bent during storage and transport, leading to challenges in closing and filling the device.
Innovation Solution
The covering device is designed with pipe covering sections divided into sections in the axial direction, connected via hinge elements, allowing angular deviations to be compensated, and features adaptable sealing elements to accommodate different pipe diameters, reducing mechanical stress and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pipe covering sections are made rigid to provide structural support, then the structural stability is improved, but the mechanical stress in bent pipe end sections increases making connections difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe covering section is divided into multiple segments along its longitudinal axis, with at least one hinge element connecting adjacent segments. This segmentation allows the covering section to maintain structural integrity while accommodating angular deviations in pipe end sections through relative movement between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge element enables dynamic adjustment of the pipe covering section's shape, allowing it to adapt to bent pipe end sections. The angular position between connected sections can vary, transforming the rigid structure into a flexible system that reduces mechanical stress during pipe connection.
2Shape
If the pipe covering sections are made rigid to maintain shape, then the shape stability is improved, but the adaptability to different pipe configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe covering section is divided into multiple segments along its longitudinal axis, with at least one hinge element connecting adjacent segments. This segmentation allows the covering section to maintain structural integrity while accommodating angular deviations in pipe end sections through relative movement between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge element allows the angular position parameter between adjacent sections to change, enabling the pipe covering section to adapt to different pipe configurations while maintaining the structural integrity of each individual section.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pipe covering sections are rigid, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of closing and filling the device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe covering section is divided into multiple segments along its longitudinal axis, with at least one hinge element connecting adjacent segments. This segmentation allows the covering section to maintain structural integrity while accommodating angular deviations in pipe end sections through relative movement between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge element enables dynamic adjustment of the pipe covering section's shape, allowing it to adapt to bent pipe end sections. The angular position between connected sections can vary, transforming the rigid structure into a flexible system that reduces mechanical stress during pipe connection.
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 design facilitates easier and more reliable pipe connections, reduces mechanical stress, and allows for efficient filling with thermal insulation foam, enhancing the overall assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
the section on the side of the connection point and the section away from the connection point are connected to each other via a hinge element. The angular position of the section on the side facing the connection point relative to the section on the opposite side facing the connection point is variable via the hinge element
Implementation Method 2
The cavity can then be filled with thermal insulation foam, for example with polymer foam, in particular polyurethane foam, thereby restoring the thermal insulation in this section
Implementation Method 3
The passage of the external sealing element is adaptable to the outer diameter of the pipe end section to be guided through the external sealing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a cover device (1) for covering a connection point (2) of two or more media-carrying pipe end sections (4, 4', 4"), wherein the cover device (1) comprises a plurality of cover elements which can be connected to one another and which can be mounted around the connection point (2) in order to form a pipe casing accommodating the connection point (2), wherein the cover device (1) comprises at least one pipe covering section (11, 11 ', 11") associated with a pipe end section (4, 4', 4"), wherein, according to the invention, the cover device (1) is also characterised in that at least one of the pipe covering sections (11, 11 ', 11") is designed to be divided into sections (12, 12´, 12´´, 13, 13´, 13´´) in the axial direction and comprises at least one connection-point-side section (12, 12´, 12´´) and a section (13, 13´, 13´´) facing away from the connection point, wherein the connection-point-side section (12, 12´, 12´´) and the section (13, 13´, 13´´) facing away from the connection point are connected to one another via a joint element (15).