Nut Retainer for Pipe Segment Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe rehabilitation methods face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively coupling segments in the longitudinal direction, with issues such as insufficient strength in areas without coupling bolts and the need for expensive, long nuts that require specialized tools and complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe rehabilitation method that uses a plastic nut retainer with a hollow portion to securely hold a nut, allowing a coupling bolt to pass through, and a groove for press-fitting the nut, reducing the nut's length and enabling easy attachment and detachment, while allowing for secure and efficient coupling of segments in the longitudinal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If long nuts are used to extend between the side plate and the inner plate, then the segments can be coupled with sufficient strength, but the cost increases significantly and specialized tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into two separate components: a short nut that fits between the side plate and inner plate, and a coupling bolt that extends through the nut. This segmentation allows the nut to be much shorter and simpler, eliminating the need for long threaded portions and specialized installation tools while maintaining coupling strength through the bolt-nut-bolt configuration.
2Strength
If long nuts are used to extend between the side plate and the inner plate, then the segments can be coupled with sufficient strength, but the installation time increases due to the need for torque control tools and potential repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The short nut is designed to be self-retaining between the side plate and inner plate through friction and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for torque control tools and specialized installation equipment. The coupling bolt's threaded engagement with the nut provides self-locking capability, allowing workers to install the coupling without requiring precision torque tools or worrying about nut loosening, thereby significantly reducing installation time.
3Device complexity
If coupling bolts are provided only at certain segment portions, then the structure is simpler, but the portions without coupling bolts cannot be joined with sufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling strength is achieved not only through the longitudinal arrangement of multiple coupling bolts across different segments but also through the circumferential distribution of bolts within each segment. This two-dimensional arrangement (longitudinal × circumferential) ensures that the entire segment interface is securely joined, with the short nuts distributed around the circumference providing uniform load distribution and preventing relative movement between segments.
Data Source
AI summary
Segments each having side plates 102 and 103 and a plurality of inner plates 106 and 107 inside the side plates are coupled in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction to construct a rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe. A plastic nut retainer 50 for retaining therein a nut 60 engaged with a coupling bolt 11 is attached between the side plate 102 on one side of the segment 1b and the inner plate 106 adjacent thereto. The coupling bolt is screwed into the nut co couple the segments 1a and 1b in the longitudinal direction due to clamping by screwing. A groove is formed in the nut retainer, and the nut is press-fitted into the groove and retained in the nut retainer.