Metal Pipe Fitting with Sealing Teeth for Torsion-Resistant Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal-sealing connections between fittings and pipes in piping systems are prone to leaks under mechanical load, particularly torsional load, due to the complex nature of axially acting pressing tools and the use of soft seals, which are not suitable for medical gas installations and other applications.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support body featuring radially projecting sealing teeth and axially extending holding teeth, combined with a press sleeve of different material hardness, allows for a metallic seal without additional soft seals, providing enhanced mechanical strength and leak resistance by separating sealing and load-bearing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axially acting pressing tools are used to create metal-to-metal sealing connections, then the connection can be established between fittings and pipes, but the connection is prone to leaks under mechanical load especially torsional load
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool is divided into two independent functional components: a support body with sealing teeth for creating metal-to-metal sealing connections, and a compression sleeve with holding teeth for providing mechanical load bearing capacity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between leak resistance and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body with sealing teeth acts as an intermediary element inserted into the pipe end, mediating between the compression sleeve and the pipe to create the actual sealing contact. This intermediary structure enables the separation of sealing function from load-bearing function, allowing the sealing interface to be optimized independently from the mechanical connection interface.
2Reliability
If soft seals are used in pipe connections, then sealing is improved, but the connections are not suitable for medical gas installations and other applications requiring metal seals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive and application-limited soft seals with a metal-to-metal sealing solution using sealing teeth that cut into the pipe. This approach provides equivalent or superior sealing performance while being universally applicable to medical gas installations and other applications where soft seals are prohibited, effectively replacing a limited solution with a universal one.
3Device complexity
If sealing and load-bearing functions are combined in the same fitting components, then the structure is simpler, but leaks occur under mechanical load
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting components are segmented into distinct sealing elements (support body with sealing teeth) and load-bearing elements (compression sleeve with holding teeth). This segmentation allows the sealing interface to be optimized for tightness while the load-bearing interface is optimized for mechanical strength, preventing leaks under mechanical load while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fitting components are given different local qualities: the support body has hard sealing teeth for cutting and sealing, while the compression sleeve has holding teeth for mechanical engagement. This local differentiation of properties allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both tightness and load-bearing capacity.
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 achieves a reliable, leak-proof metallic connection under mechanical loads, enabling the use of metal-sealing connections in medical gas installations and other applications without soft seals, ensuring tightness and stability even under strong forces.
Implementation Method 1
The support body (8) and the compression sleeve (12) are designed for radial pressing, i.e. they can be pressed by a pressing force directed essentially radially inwards. The at least two circumferential and outwardly protruding sealing teeth of the two sealing sections cut into the pipe during compression, thus sealing from the inside between the support body and the inserted pipe.
Implementation Method 2
Press connections are used to connect pipe sections to fittings and other components. A press section of a fitting is radially deformed inward using a pressing tool while the pipe section is inserted, creating a permanent, tight, and possibly even permanent connection.
Implementation Method 3
The metal of the support body (8) is designed to be harder than the metal of the compression sleeve (12). The metal of the support body is stronger and harder than the material of the compression sleeve, so that Re inner /Re outer > 1. Re denotes the yield strength of the metal.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting for establishing a metallic connection with a metal pipe, having a main body (6), which is produced from metal, having at least one supporting body (8), which is formed in one piece with the main body (6), consists of metal and is intended for introduction into a pipe end, and having at least one pressing sleeve (12), which is connected to the main body (6), consists of metal and is intended for accommodating the pipe end, wherein the supporting body (8) and the pressing sleeve (12) are designed to provide radial pressing action. The technical problem of improving the reliability and the mechanical loading capability of the metallic connection which is to be established between a metal pipe and the fitting is solved in that the supporting body (8) has a first sealing portion (22), which is arranged at the distal end and has at least one radially encircling sealing tooth (24), also has a retaining region (26), which follows the first sealing portion (22) in the axial direction and has axially running retaining teeth (28) distributed over the circumference, and additionally has a second sealing portion (30), which follows the retaining region (26) in the axial direction and has at least one radially encircling sealing tooth (32).