Irrigation Pipe Assembly Without Welding or Galvanizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation pipes are time-consuming and labor-intensive to manufacture due to processes like welding and galvanizing, which require large tolerances and compromise the integrity of the pipe, leading to imprecise assembly and sealing issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of a durable material like stainless steel or aluminum for the irrigation pipe, equipped with a flange assembly, truss mount, and outlet components assembled without drilling or welding, allowing for secure attachment without the need for galvanizing or painting, using a method that includes a socket with convex walls and a mount assembly with abutment and spaced regions for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carbon steel pipes are used with welding and galvanizing processes, then the pipe surface is sealed and rust prevention is achieved, but the manufacturing time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the galvanizing step from the manufacturing process by selecting stainless steel or aluminum materials that inherently provide corrosion resistance. This extraction of the galvanizing process eliminates the time-consuming and labor-intensive coating operation while maintaining the rust prevention function through material selection alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional carbon steel to stainless steel or aluminum. This material substitution fundamentally alters the corrosion resistance property, providing inherent rust protection without requiring additional galvanizing or painting processes, thereby streamlining manufacturing.
2Strength
If welding and drilling processes are used to assemble components onto the irrigation pipe, then the components are securely attached, but the manufacturing precision decreases due to large tolerances required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the irrigation pipe system into modular sections with standardized interfaces. Each pipe section, fitting, and component is manufactured as a separate precision-machined module with tight tolerances, allowing for precise assembly without welding or drilling. The modular design enables secure attachment through precision-machined mating surfaces and fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional welding and drilling mechanical processes with precision machining and assembly operations. Instead of using welding to join components, the design employs precision-machined interfaces, threaded connections, and mechanical fastening systems that achieve secure attachment while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled tolerances.
3Strength
If the irrigation pipe is made from conventional carbon steel, then the material is durable and cost-effective, but additional galvanizing or painting is required to prevent rusting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from carbon steel to stainless steel or aluminum alloys. This material parameter change inherently provides corrosion resistance, eliminating the need for additional protective coatings such as galvanizing or painting, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the corrosion protection function from the galvanizing or painting processes and integrates it directly into the base material selection. By choosing stainless steel or aluminum, the corrosion resistance is built-in to the material itself, removing the need for separate protective coating operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation pipe assembly that utilizes a pipe that is made of a durable material, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum. During fabrication, the pipe is equipped with a plurality of components, i.e., a flange assembly, a truss mount, and an outlet, without drilling, welding, or the like. In this manner, a method of fabrication is provided that enables a plurality of components to be assembled to the pipe without compromising the integrity of the pipe material or treated surface so that galvanizing or painting is not required after the plurality of components have been fitted to the pipe.