Lockable Pipeline Seal Structure for Fluid-Tight Sleeve Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective and efficient techniques for sealing pipelines that also facilitate ease of manufacture, assembly, and operation.
Innovation Solution
A lockable pipeline seal comprising a ring-shaped body with a head, a tail, and a body portion, featuring a deflection surface, a recessed grip, and a compressible design that forms a locked seal between the pipeline sleeve and the pipeline pipe when installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing techniques are used, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into distinct functional segments: a compression portion for creating the seal, a grip portion for engaging the sleeve, and a tail portion for rotation and locking. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to be self-installing through a rotation-based locking mechanism. When the tail portion is rotated, it automatically engages the grip portion with the sleeve and compresses the compression portion against the pipe, creating a locked seal without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly tools.
2Ease of operation
If compressible seal materials are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal utilizes composite construction combining compressible material for the compression portion with more rigid structural elements for the tail and grip portions. This composite approach allows the seal to be compressed during assembly for ease of installation while maintaining structural stability during operation through the rigid locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a compressed, flexible state during assembly to a locked, rigid state during operation. The compression portion remains compressible for sealing, while the tail portion rotates and locks into place, providing dynamic adaptability that ensures both ease of assembly and operational stability.
3Reliability
If a locked seal mechanism is implemented, then connection reliability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lockable seal is manufactured as a single integrated component with distinct segments (compression portion, grip portion, tail portion) formed in one piece. This segmentation is achieved through mold design rather than assembly of multiple parts, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing the complex locked seal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece seal structure performs multiple functions: sealing through compression, gripping the sleeve, and locking through rotation. This multi-functionality is integrated into one component that can be manufactured using standard molding processes, avoiding the need for multiple separate parts and complex assembly operations.
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 reliable and efficient sealing mechanism that ensures a fluid-tight connection between pipeline pipes and sleeves, while also allowing for easier assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
The ring-shaped body is compressible such that, when the ring-shaped body is installed between the pipeline sleeve and the pipeline pipe, the deflection surface is urged against the pipeline pipe and the recessed grip grippingly engages the pipeline sleeve whereby a locked seal is formed
Implementation Method 2
The ring-shaped body is compressible such that, when the ring-shaped body is installed between the pipeline sleeve and the pipeline pipe, the deflection surface is urged against the pipeline pipe
Implementation Method 3
the recessed grip grippingly engages the pipeline sleeve whereby a locked seal is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable pipeline seal, pipeline sleeve, and sealed pipeline connection for a pipeline. The pipeline seal includes a ring-shaped body having a head along a first ring end and a tail along a second ring end of the ring-shaped body, with a body portion therebetween. The ring-shaped body has an outer surface and an inner surface along its periphery. A deflection surface and abase surface are defined along the outer surface. The deflection surface is at an angle to a horizontal axis of the ring-shaped body, and a recessed grip is defined along the inner surface. The ring-shaped body is compressible such that, when the pipeline seal is installed between the pipeline sleeve and the pipeline pipe, the deflection surface is urged against the pipeline pipe and the recessed grip grippingly engages the pipeline sleeve whereby a locked seal is formed between the pipeline sleeve and the pipeline pipe.