Nested Pipe Joint Cover Sections for Compact Insulation Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for thermally insulated pipe connections are bulky, necessitating large storage and transport volumes due to the extensive exposure of medium-carrying pipes, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The covering device is designed with pipe cover sections subdivided axially into sections on the connection point side and away from it, allowing one section to be incorporated into the other for reduced storage and transport volume, featuring hinged connections and adaptable sealing elements for various pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the covering device is designed to completely cover the exposed medium-carrying pipes, then the thermal insulation is restored effectively, but the volume of the covering device becomes large, necessitating large storage and transport areas
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe cover section is divided into two separable parts: a first part with an opening for receiving the pipe end section, and a second part that can be folded onto the pipe. This segmentation allows the covering device to be compact during storage and transport, while still providing complete coverage when assembled at the installation site, thus resolving the contradiction between effective thermal insulation restoration and reduced storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The second part of the pipe cover section is designed to be foldable onto the first part, creating a nested configuration during storage and transport. This nesting principle significantly reduces the overall volume of the covering device while maintaining the capability to provide complete coverage of the exposed pipe sections when deployed, thereby addressing the volume contradiction.
2Reliability
If the pipe cover section is designed as a single large component, then complete coverage is achieved, but storage and transport become inefficient due to large volume requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe cover section is segmented into two manageable parts that can be separately stored and transported. The first part contains the opening for pipe insertion, while the second part folds onto it, creating a compact assembly. This segmentation maintains complete coverage capability when assembled but dramatically improves storage and transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second part of the pipe cover section incorporates folding capability, transitioning from a static large component to a dynamic structure that can change its configuration. During storage and transport, it folds onto the first part to reduce volume; during installation, it unfolds to provide complete coverage, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage completeness and operational efficiency.
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
This design significantly reduces storage and transport volume while ensuring easy assembly and effective thermal insulation restoration, accommodating various pipe sizes without the need for multiple sealing element variants.
Implementation Method 1
The cavity can then be filled with thermal insulation foam, for example, polymer foam, in particular polyurethane foam, thereby restoring the thermal insulation in this section.
Implementation Method 2
The connecting section is designed as a hinged element. In this way, the section on the connection point and the section opposite the connection point are movably connected to each other.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a cover device (1) for covering a connection point (2) of two or more media-carrying pipe end sections (4, 4', 4"), wherein the cover device (1) comprises a plurality of cover elements which can be connected to one another and which can be mounted around the connection point (2) in order to form a pipe casing accommodating the connection point (2), wherein the cover device (1) comprises at least one pipe covering section (11, 11 ', 11") associated with a pipe end section (4, 4', 4"), wherein, according to the invention, the cover device (1) is also characterised in that at least one of the pipe covering sections (11, 11 ', 11") is designed to be divided into sections (12, 12´, 12´´, 13, 13´, 13´´) in the axial direction and comprises at least one connection-point-side section (12, 12´, 12´´) and a section (13, 13´, 13´´) facing away from the connection point, wherein the section (13, 13´, 13´´) facing away from the connection point can be accommodated at least partially in the connection-point-side section (12, 12´, 12´´).