Hygienic Pipe Compensator with Seamless Welded Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compensation elements in pipelines, particularly in the chemical/pharmaceutical and food industries, face issues with residue settlement and corrosion due to contamination, leading to hygiene and cleanliness problems.
Innovation Solution
A compensation element and method involving a thin-walled corrugated pipe part connected to a flange-like part via a joint, forming a continuous closed surface without crevices or holes, allowing for easy cleaning and using TIG or laser welding to prevent contamination, with identical inner diameters for optimal flow control and durable materials like stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional compensation elements are used in pipelines, then the structural integrity and compensation function are maintained, but residues and contamination settle in crevices and joints leading to hygiene problems and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by converting the potentially harmful joint between pipe parts into a beneficial seamless welded connection. The welding process eliminates crevices and gaps where residues would normally settle, transforming the joint from a contamination-prone feature into a smooth, clean surface that prevents residue accumulation and meets hygiene requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by creating a homogeneous internal surface throughout the compensation element. The welded joint ensures that the inner surface is continuous and uniform without discontinuities or crevices, making the entire internal surface equally resistant to residue settlement and contamination, thereby improving hygiene and cleanliness throughout the component.
2Reliability
If welding is used to connect the corrugated pipe part and flange-like connection part, then a continuous closed surface is formed preventing contamination, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by merging the corrugated pipe part and flange-like connection part into a single integrated component through welding. This combines two separate manufacturing steps (making the pipe and making the flange) into one unified structure, which eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and reduces the number of assembly steps, thereby offsetting the welding complexity with overall manufacturing simplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by creating a composite structure where the corrugated pipe part and flange-like connection part are joined through material fusion via welding. This composite connection creates a continuous closed surface that prevents contamination while maintaining the functional properties of both components, achieving contamination resistance without requiring additional sealing materials or complex assembly procedures.
3Productivity
If the corrugated pipe part and flange-like connection part have different inner diameters, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow control is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by changing the critical parameter of inner diameter consistency between the corrugated pipe part and flange-like connection part. By specifying that these components have essentially identical inner diameters, the patent optimizes flow control and prevents turbulence or pressure losses at the junction, while the welding process enables this precision to be achieved without compromising manufacturing feasibility.
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 provides a hygienic, contamination-free, and durable compensation element that ensures optimal flow control and reduces production costs, addressing the issues of residue settlement and corrosion in pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
The welding can take place exclusively by melting the material of the corrugated tube part and the flange-like connection part
Implementation Method 2
with the integral connection taking place by welding
Implementation Method 3
During welding, the corrugated tube part and the flange-like connecting part can be pressed against one another radially from the inside by means of a radial expanding device that is fixed in the activated state
Implementation Method 4
During welding, the corrugated pipe part and the flange-like connection part can be pressed against one another radially from the inside by means of a pressure roller that rolls on the inner circumference during welding
Implementation Method 5
The welding can be done by TIG welding or laser welding
Implementation Method 6
The welding can be done by TIG welding or laser welding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a compensating element to compensate for changes in length or an offset in pipe lines. The compensating element comprises a thin-walled corrugated pipe part (1), which is connected to a flange-like connector (2) at both ends, making it possible to provide a preferably detachable coupling to a pipe line. The corrugated pipe part (1) is bonded to the respective connector (2) on the inside of the compensating element such that said parts form a continuous, closed surface together with the joint (8) on the inside of the compensating element. Such compensating elements can be cleaned without difficulty and in a residue-free manner compared to the compensating elements known today and meet maximum requirements with regard to hygiene, freedom of contamination and durability.