Multi-DOF Clamp Hinge for Uniform Pipe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged pipe couplings experience uneven force distribution, leading to deformation and improper sealing due to heavier and thicker hinges, which are required to bear higher forces.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-degree-of-freedom hinge is integrated into the clamp assembly, allowing one clamp half to rotate and translate with respect to the other, reducing weight and volume while maintaining high force-bearing capacity, and is designed as integral parts of the clamp halves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged coupling is used to join clamp halves, then the coupling can be assembled on pipes, but the hinge must bear higher forces making it heavier and thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into a male portion and a female portion, with the male portion containing multiple degrees of freedom (rotation about two axes and translation along one axis) and the female portion providing corresponding constraints. This segmentation allows the hinge to achieve assembly capability while distributing the force-bearing function across multiple constrained degrees of freedom, reducing the overall weight and thickness requirements compared to a single heavy hinge structure.
2Ease of operation
If a hinged coupling is used to join clamp halves, then the coupling can be assembled on pipes, but the forces cause the coupling to depart from a true circular shape and the seal may not seal properly
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is designed with multiple degrees of freedom (rotation about two axes and translation along one axis) that allow dynamic adjustment during assembly. This enables the clamp halves to self-align and maintain a true circular shape under operating forces, ensuring proper seal contact around the entire pipe circumference while still providing assembly capability.
3Weight of moving object
If the hinge is made thinner and lighter, then weight and volume are reduced, but the hinge must still bear high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into male and female portions with specific geometric features that distribute stress. The male portion includes a first axis of rotation, a second axis of rotation, and a translation axis, while the female portion provides corresponding constraints. This segmentation allows a thinner, lighter hinge design to bear high forces through optimized stress distribution across multiple constrained degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design integrates multiple functional elements (rotation constraints, translation constraints) into a unified structure that achieves high strength-to-weight ratio. The composite structure of male and female portions with specific geometric features enables the thinner hinge to maintain high force-bearing capacity while reducing overall weight and volume.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
A clamp assembly (10) includes two curved clamp halves (12, 13) terminating in two clamp members (14, 16), one or more fasteners for fastening the clamp members (14, 16) towards each other so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force, and a multiple-degree-of-freedom hinge (22) that couples the clamp halves (12, 13) to each other so that the clamp halves (12, 13) can translate and rotate with respect to each other.