Lateral Pipe Connection Assembly Hub Penetration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service connections between main wastewater or storm water pipes and lateral pipes face issues with excessive penetration of the hub into the mainline pipe, leading to reduced clearance and potential interference with inspection devices, and inadequate sealing, especially in environments where visual indicators are obscured by rainwater, mud, or dust.
Innovation Solution
A service lateral pipe connection assembly featuring a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve with radially protruding ribs and an inwardly projecting lip, combined with a rigid hub having a beveled surface and inclined seat surface, which limits hub penetration and enhances sealing through tactile feedback and compression, ensuring proper alignment and preventing excessive insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hub is forcibly inserted into the elastomeric sleeve to ensure a snug fit and secure connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the hub may penetrate too far into the mainline pipe, reducing clearance and interfering with inspection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sleeve is pre-installed in the mainline pipe with its leading end positioned at the pipe's inner surface. The hub is designed with a leading end that will engage the sleeve before full insertion, establishing a predetermined insertion depth limit that prevents excessive penetration while ensuring secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the hub and the mainline pipe. It provides a compliant interface that allows the hub to be securely inserted while the sleeve's position in the pipe and its deformation characteristics prevent the hub from penetrating too far, thus protecting the mainline pipe's clearance for inspection devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual markings on the hub are used to indicate proper insertion depth, then installation precision can be improved, but the markings become obscured by rainwater, mud, and wear in construction environments
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sleeve serves as an intermediary indicator mechanism. As the hub is inserted into the sleeve, the sleeve deforms and its outer surface moves relative to the mainline pipe. This deformation provides a visible, tactile indication of proper insertion depth without relying on markings that can be obscured by environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual marking system with a mechanical indication system based on the elastomeric sleeve's deformation. The sleeve's material properties and geometric design create a visible and tactile signal (such as the sleeve's outer surface aligning with or protruding from the mainline pipe) that indicates proper hub insertion depth, eliminating dependence on visual markings.
3Strength
If excessive axial force is applied to the hub during insertion to ensure secure fitting, then the connection strength is improved, but the hub moves too far through the sleeve, creating undesirable penetration into the mainline pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sleeve is pre-positioned in the mainline pipe with its leading end at the pipe's inner surface. The hub's leading end is designed to engage the sleeve during insertion, establishing a mechanical stop that prevents excessive penetration even when significant axial force is applied to ensure secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sleeve's material properties (such as durometer, thickness, and compressibility) are selected to provide appropriate resistance during hub insertion. The sleeve deforms under the insertion force to accommodate the hub while maintaining enough elasticity to prevent excessive penetration, thus allowing strong connections without over-insertion.
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 minimizes hub penetration into the mainline pipe, maintains sufficient clearance for inspection, and provides enhanced sealing, resisting removal and ensuring proper installation even in challenging environments, while allowing for secure and reliable connections.
Implementation Method 1
the fit between the sleeve and hub is snug, and because of the high friction coefficient between the elastomeric sleeve and the hub
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric sleeve; and a rigid hub. The sleeve fits into a cored hole in the mainline pipe. A leading end of the hub is forcibly inserted into the elastomeric sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe connection assembly is disclosed including a cylindrical hub having an interior diameter and a leading end having an exterior beveled surface that defines a leading edge of the hub; and a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve having an inner end that includes a radially inwardly projecting lip having a seat surface inclined to correspond to the beveled surface of the hub so the seat surface engages the beveled surface of the hub. The lip includes an annular stop projecting inwardly and having an interior diameter that is less than the interior diameter of the hub, thereby to define a stop surface that contacts the leading edge of the hub when the hub is inserted into the sleeve. The assembly restricts to a minimal amount the penetration of a hub component of the assembly into the cored hole of the mainline pipe to which the assembly is connected.