Mechanical Interlock Pipe Seal Assembly for Flange Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flanged joints in the oil industry are prone to leakage due to uneven bolt tightening, thermal degradation of rubber seals, and require skilled labor and welding, which is time-consuming and costly, posing safety risks and increasing maintenance expenses.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly that creates a metal-to-metal seal between a connector body and a pipe using a mechanical interlock arrangement and an adaptor with a first and second ring, eliminating the need for traditional flanges and welding, allowing for quick and reliable connection and disconnection without the use of rubber seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flanged joints with rubber seals are used, then sealing function is provided, but thermal degradation and mechanical damage occur leading to seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes rubber seals entirely from the connection system, extracting the problematic sealing component that suffers from thermal degradation and mechanical damage, and replaces it with a metal-to-metal sealing interface that is thermally stable and mechanically robust
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite connection system combining metal flange elements with a specialized sealing mechanism that uses metal surfaces and gasket materials resistant to thermal degradation, creating a multi-material assembly that withstands high temperatures and mechanical stresses without the limitations of conventional rubber seals
2Strength
If welding is used to assemble flanged joints, then connection strength is achieved, but assembly time increases and fire risk is created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical fastening system using bolts and flanges that achieve equivalent or superior connection strength without requiring thermal processes, thereby eliminating fire hazards and significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The flanged joint components are pre-fabricated with precisely machined surfaces and pre-assembled sealing elements, allowing the final connection to be achieved through straightforward mechanical bolting without requiring on-site welding operations, thus preparing the connection in advance to avoid time-consuming and hazardous welding during assembly
3Reliability
If traditional flanged joints are used, then connection is achieved, but skilled labor and high precision are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection system into modular flanged components with standardized interfaces, allowing each element to be independently manufactured and assembled through simple bolting operations, thereby reducing the skill level required and eliminating the need for complex welding procedures while maintaining connection reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly (100), comprising: a connector body (102) having an open end (112) configured for receiving a free end (114) of a pipe (106); an adaptor (115) for securing at the free end (114) of the pipe (106); the adaptor (115) comprising a first ring (116), configured to be mounted around the circumference of the free end (114) of a pipe (106), and a second ring (118) configured to cooperate with the first ring (116) in order to drive the first ring (116) into engagement with an outer surface (120) of the pipe (106);and a mechanical interlock arrangement configured for driving the adaptor (115) in the direction of the connector body (102), when the adaptor (115) is secured at the free end (114) of the pipe (106); and wherein the mechanical interlock arrangement is further configured for preventing or limiting axial movement of the pipe (114) relative to the connector body (102), when the adaptor (115) is secured to the outer surface (120) of the pipe (106) and when the free end (114) of the pipe (106) is in sealing contact with a metal seal surface (148) of the connector body (102).