Hydraulic Expandable Pipe Stopper With Locking Ring Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe stoppers require significant manual force to operate and often result in inconsistent sealing, leading to fluid leaks due to user error and difficulty in properly engaging with the pipeline.
Innovation Solution
A pipe stopper assembly featuring an expandable stopper body and pressure assembly that can be configured between expanded and contracted states, utilizing a piston and valve stem to control fluid flow, and a locking mechanism to secure the stopper in place, ensuring reliable sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation of the stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to significant force required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using fluid pressure transmitted through the pipeline to automatically actuate the stopper. The fluid pressure operates a mechanism that moves the stopper between retracted and extended positions, eliminating the need for manual force while maintaining simple device architecture.
2Device complexity
If manual operation of the stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to user error and inconsistent sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper system operates autonomously by utilizing the existing fluid pressure in the pipeline to actuate itself. The fluid pressure automatically moves the stopper into the correct position and maintains sealing, eliminating user error and ensuring consistent, reliable operation without requiring complex control systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stopper is designed to be manually operated, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming operation and potential leaks requiring rework
Solution Approach 1:
By using hydraulic actuation through fluid pressure, the stopper operates automatically and rapidly without manual intervention. This eliminates time-consuming manual operations and potential leak-rework cycles, significantly improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
4Reliability
If the stopper body is made expandable, then the sealing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper body changes its dimensional parameter (expands or contracts) in response to fluid pressure. This parameter change enables the stopper to conform to the pipeline interior and create an effective seal, while the expansion mechanism is driven by the existing fluid pressure rather than additional complex actuation systems.
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 solution allows for easy and reliable control of fluid flow through pipelines, reducing manual effort and user error, while providing a consistent and effective seal to prevent leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing
Implementation Method 2
an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connected to the expandable stopper body; and a locking assembly comprising a locking ring movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage the expandable stopper body in the locked configuration to prohibit contraction of the expandable stopper body and to secure the pipe stopper in the expanded configuration.