Hinged Tapping Sleeve for Wide Pipe Diameter Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tapping sleeves are limited to accommodating a single pipe diameter, requiring multiple fasteners that increase manufacturing costs and installation time.
Innovation Solution
A tapping sleeve design featuring a hinge mechanism that allows multiple sleeve portions to be joined, reducing the need for multiple rows of fasteners and enabling flexibility in accommodating a range of pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple rows of fasteners are used to join sleeve portions, then the tapping sleeve can accommodate a single pipe diameter with secure connection, but the manufacturing cost increases and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapping sleeve is divided into multiple adjustable sleeve portions that can be positioned at different radial distances from the centerline. This segmentation allows the same structure to accommodate multiple pipe diameters without requiring additional fasteners for each size variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve portions are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be dynamically repositioned relative to the centerline. This dynamic adjustment enables the tapping sleeve to adapt to different pipe diameters while maintaining secure connection with the same fastener set.
2Reliability
If multiple rows of fasteners are used to join sleeve portions, then the connection is secure, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapping sleeve is divided into multiple adjustable sleeve portions that can be positioned at different radial distances from the centerline. This segmentation allows the same structure to accommodate multiple pipe diameters without requiring additional fasteners for each size variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial position of sleeve portions can be changed to accommodate different pipe diameters. By adjusting this parameter, the same tapping sleeve structure can fit various pipe sizes without requiring multiple fastener rows, thereby reducing installation time.
3Device complexity
If the tapping sleeve is designed for a single pipe diameter, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapping sleeve is designed with multiple adjustable sleeve portions that can be positioned at different radial distances from the centerline. This universal design allows a single tapping sleeve structure to accommodate multiple pipe diameters, eliminating the need for different sized tapping sleeves for different pipe sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve portions are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be dynamically repositioned relative to the centerline. This dynamic adjustment enables the tapping sleeve to adapt to different pipe diameters while maintaining secure connection with the same fastener set.
Data Source
AI summary
A tapping sleeve for a pipe element can include first and second sleeve portions, each defining a first axial end, a second axial end, a first side end, a second side end, and an arcuate portion extending between the first side end and the second side end; the second sleeve portion hingedly secured to the first sleeve portion; and a connecting element joining the first side ends of the first and second sleeve portions; wherein the connecting element, the first side end of the first sleeve portion, and the first side end of the second sleeve portion define at least a portion of a hinge of the tapping sleeve, a position of the first sleeve portion with respect to the second sleeve portion in an assembled condition in a circumferential direction of the tapping sleeve being different between the at least two assembled conditions of the hinge.