Pipe Clamp Assembly With External Seal for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection arrangements for aircraft water pipes fail to accommodate thermal expansion and angular changes while maintaining a reliable seal and preventing dirt deposits, especially when using plastic pipes, which have higher thermal expansion coefficients and lower rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connection arrangement featuring a clamp that allows for relative movement between pipe sections, with sealing surfaces on the exterior to minimize dirt accumulation and accommodate thermal expansion and angular changes, using retaining rings and sealing rings to maintain a seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional metal pipes are used with rigid connections, then structural strength is maintained, but thermal expansion causes stresses and deformations at connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The connection arrangement allows dynamic movement between pipe sections through a movable sealing ring that can slide along the sealing surface, enabling the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates parameter changes in pipe length and angle through thermal expansion by allowing the sealing ring to move relative to the sealing surface, preventing stress buildup while maintaining connection strength
2Weight of moving object
If plastic pipes are used to reduce weight and cost, then weight and cost are reduced, but thermal expansion coefficient increases four times higher causing greater expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing ring design allows the plastic pipe system to dynamically accommodate its higher thermal expansion coefficient by enabling relative movement between pipe sections, preventing buckling while maintaining the weight advantages of plastic material
Solution Approach 2:
The connection arrangement accommodates the four times higher thermal expansion coefficient of plastic pipes by allowing changes in pipe length and angle through the movable seal, preventing stress concentration and deformation
3Reliability
If sealing surfaces are placed inside the pipe, then sealing is achieved, but dirt deposits form preventing seal displacement during thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is inverted from the conventional internal position to an external position on the pipe outer surface, allowing the sealing ring to slide freely during thermal expansion without exposure to dirty water that would cause dirt deposits
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the internal pipe surface and relocated to an external sealing surface, separating the sealing function from the fluid-carrying function to prevent dirt contamination of the sealing interface
4Strength
If rigid clamps are used to secure pipe sections, then connection strength is maintained, but angular and axial movements are restricted causing stresses during thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design incorporates dynamic elements that allow angular and axial movements while maintaining secure connection, enabling the system to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without restricting necessary pipe section movements
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 effectively accommodates thermal expansion and angular changes in pipe length and angle, while ensuring a reliable seal and minimizing dirt deposits, thus preventing buckling and maintaining a smooth, stress-free connection.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp (7) configured to prevent the pipe sections from moving away from one another
Implementation Method 2
a first sealing ring (27), which rests against the first sealing surface (21)
Implementation Method 3
The resulting strong temperature fluctuations cause the corresponding pipes to expand and contract thermally
Implementation Method 4
there are fuselage deformations, which the pipes must also absorb
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pipe connection arrangement (1) is shown and described, comprising a first pipe section (3) and a second pipe section (5) extending along a longitudinal axis (13), and a clamping clamp (7), wherein a first end surface (17) is provided on the first pipe section (3) and a second end surface (29) is provided on the second pipe section (5). The first pipe section (3) has a first clamping surface (19) pointing away from the first end surface (17), and the second pipe section (5) has a second clamping surface (31) pointing away from the second end surface (29). The clamping clamp (7) has a first contact surface (33) and a second contact surface (35). The clamping clamp (7) is further configured to prevent the clamping surfaces (19, 31) from moving away from each other when the first clamping surface (19) is in contact with the first contact surface (33) and the second clamping surface (31) is in contact with the second contact surface (35). A retaining ring (23) is also provided.which is attached to the second pipe section (5) by means of a sealing connection and on which a first sealing ring (27) circumferential around the longitudinal axis (13) is held, wherein a circumferential first sealing surface (21) extending along the longitudinal axis (13) is provided on the first pipe section (3), against which the first sealing ring (27) bears, wherein the interior of the first and the second pipe sections (3, 5) is sealed between the first pipe section (3) and the second pipe section (5) from the environment by means of the sealing connection and the bearing of the first sealing ring (27) against the first sealing surface (21), wherein, when the first clamping surface (19) bears against the first contact surface (33) and the second clamping surface (31) bears against the second contact surface (35), a free space (37) is formed between the first end surface (17) and the second end surface (29) and the first and second pipe sections (3, 5) can move towards each other,without the first sealing ring (27) coming out of contact with the first sealing surface (21), and wherein the first sealing surface (21) is provided on the outside of the first pipe section (3) pointing away from the longitudinal axis (13).