Mechanical Interlock Pipe Seal Assembly for Weld-Free Metal Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The oil industry faces challenges with flanged joints in oil pipe connections, including vulnerability to uneven bolt tightening, thermal degradation of rubber seals, high assembly precision requirements, and the need for skilled labor and welding, which increases costs and risks of leaks and fires.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly that creates a metal-to-metal seal using a connector body and an adaptor with a mechanical interlock, eliminating the need for flanges and welding, allowing for quick and reliable connection and disconnection without supplementary components or complex tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flanged joints with rubber seals are used, then sealing function is achieved, but thermal degradation and mechanical damage occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rubber to metal, creating a metal-to-metal seal interface. This parameter change eliminates thermal degradation and mechanical damage issues associated with rubber seals, significantly improving reliability and service life in high-temperature oil industry applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining metal connector body, metal adaptor, and metal pipe components to create a metal-to-metal seal system. This composite material approach replaces homogeneous rubber sealing with heterogeneous metal interfaces that are resistant to thermal and mechanical degradation
2Strength
If welding is used to connect pipes, then strong joint is achieved, but fire risk and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical interlock system using threaded connections and sealing interfaces. This mechanical substitution eliminates fire risks associated with welding while maintaining strong joint strength through precise mechanical engagement and metal-to-metal sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor acts as an intermediary component between the pipe and connector body, providing a mechanical interface that achieves strong connection without direct welding. The adaptor with its sealing surface and threading mechanism mediates the connection, eliminating the need for hot work and associated fire hazards
3Reliability
If flanged joints with welding are used, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connection system into separate components: connector body, adaptor, and pipe sections with external threading. This segmentation allows pre-assembly and quick mechanical connection without time-consuming welding operations, significantly improving assembly speed while maintaining connection security through precise mechanical interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The external threading and adaptor design enable preliminary preparation of components before final assembly. The threading can be applied to pipes in advance, and the adaptor can be prepared separately, allowing rapid final assembly by simply screwing components together without on-site welding, thus improving productivity
4Reliability
If high precision flanged joints are used, then sealing is achieved, but skilled labor and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal-to-metal seal interface with external threading is designed to be self-aligning and self-sealing through precise geometric features. The conical sealing surfaces and threaded interfaces automatically guide components into proper alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for highly skilled labor and complex alignment procedures while maintaining seal integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly, comprising: a connector body having an open end configured for receiving a free end of a pipe; an adaptor for securing at the free end of the pipe; the adaptor comprising a first ring, configured to be mounted around the circumference of the free end of a pipe, and a second ring configured to cooperate with the first ring in order to drive the first ring into engagement with an outer surface of the pipe; and a mechanical interlock arrangement configured for driving the adaptor in the direction of the connector body, when the adaptor is secured at the free end of the pipe; and wherein the mechanical interlock arrangement is further configured for preventing or limiting axial movement of the pipe relative to the connector body, when the adaptor is secured to the outer surface of the pipe and when the free end of the pipe is in sealing contact with a metal seal surface of the connector body.