Pipe Alignment Device for Marine Vessel Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical joining devices for pipes, such as the TeeKay AxiLock, require precise alignment and positioning to prevent leaks and failures, but existing methods are inefficient due to frequent misalignment and incorrect positioning, leading to increased inspection requirements and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An alignment device that allows for visible checking of the joining line between pipes, marking of correct positions, and secure locking, enabling accurate alignment and positioning of mechanical joining devices, reducing the need for subsequent inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical joining devices are used to join pipes, then the need for welding is avoided and sealing is improved, but alignment precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate leading to frequent misalignment and incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device is attached to the pipes before the mechanical joining device is positioned, establishing correct alignment and positioning in advance. The device includes reference surfaces that extend beyond the pipe ends, allowing alignment to be established before the joining operation begins, preventing misalignment during the joining process.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment device acts as an intermediary tool between the pipes and the mechanical joining device. It provides reference surfaces and positioning features that guide the positioning of the mechanical joining device, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring direct measurement between the pipes themselves.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If increased inspection proportion is implemented to detect misalignment faults, then detection capability is improved, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to additional inspection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device extracts the alignment and positioning functions from the joining process itself, providing dedicated reference surfaces and positioning features. This separation allows alignment to be verified independently during device attachment, reducing the need for subsequent inspection of alignment faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment device provides immediate visual feedback through its reference surfaces that extend beyond the pipe ends. Misalignment is visible when the reference surfaces are not properly aligned, allowing operators to correct positioning before final joining, reducing the need for post-joining inspection.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment device with extended reference surfaces is used, then alignment accuracy and positioning precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device is divided into two separate components: an alignment device attached to the pipes, and a positioning device attached to the mechanical joining device. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler in design while collectively providing high positioning accuracy through the extended reference surfaces.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
An alignment device (100) and a method of alignment using the device, are disclosed. The device (100) is configured to receive, in a generally aligned configuration, workpieces (20, 30) which are to be joined together. In addition, the device (100) is further configured such that, in use of the device, a joining line between the two workpieces (20, 30) is visible for checking alignment, and such that, in use of the device (100), each workpiece (20, 30) can be marked at a predetermined distance from the joining line. The device (100) and the method of alignment using the device are particularly suited to the joining of pipes in the construction of marine vessels.