Pipe Joint Clamp With Color-Change Leak Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps used in pipe connecting portions face difficulties in visually verifying leaks of hazardous materials and effectively removing them, which can lead to property damage, loss of life, and loss of corporate reputation due to toxic gas or chemical leaks.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection apparatus comprising a clamp member, a color-change member, a first cover member with grooves for visual verification, and a second cover member made of transparent material, along with an optical sensor to detect color changes and a drain to remove leaking gases or chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional clamp is used in a pipe connecting portion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot visually verify leaks of hazardous materials and cannot effectively remove them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple functional components within the clamp structure: a color-change member is placed inside a first cover member, which is then enclosed by a second cover member. This nested arrangement allows the clamp to provide both structural function and leak detection capability without requiring separate external components, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a color-change member that changes color when exposed to hazardous materials leaking from the pipe connection. This visual indicator enables immediate detection of leaks without requiring complex electronic sensors or additional verification equipment, significantly improving leak detection capability while adding minimal structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the clamp is made opaque for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but visual verification of leaks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cover structure into two separate members: a first cover member that provides structural protection and a second cover member made of transparent material that enables visual verification. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its primary function optimally - the first cover maintains strength while the second cover provides transparency for leak detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cover member made of transparent material acts as an intermediary between the internal color-change member and the external observer. It allows light to pass through so that color changes can be visually detected while maintaining the protective enclosure, thus enabling visual verification without compromising the structural integrity provided by the first cover member.
3Ease of operation
If hazardous materials are contained within the clamp, then leak prevention is improved, but safe removal becomes difficult due to exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The color-change member provides real-time visual feedback about the presence of hazardous materials within the clamp enclosure. Workers can observe color changes through the transparent second cover member to determine when hazardous materials are present, allowing them to take appropriate safety precautions during removal operations and thus enabling safe removal while minimizing exposure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary detection of hazardous materials through color changes before workers attempt removal operations. This advance warning allows workers to prepare appropriate protective measures and procedures, thereby facilitating safe removal while minimizing exposure to hazardous materials.
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
Enables visual verification of leaks, prevents escape of hazardous materials, allows safe removal, and ensures durability through materials like austenitic stainless steel and fluorine rubber, enhancing safety and efficiency in detecting and managing chemical leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a color-change member configured to surround at least a portion of outer circumference of the clamp member and of which color changes due to gas or chemicals leaking from the connecting portion of the pipe
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor configured to detect a change in the color of the color-change member through the at least one groove
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a leak detection apparatus. A leak detection apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: a clamp member which attaches to the connecting part of pipes; a color-change member which encircles at least a portion of the outer circumference of the clamp member, and the color of which changes due to leaked gas from the connecting part of the pipes; a first cover member covering the clamp member and comprising at least one recessed part for visually verifying the color-change member from the outside; and a second cover member comprising transparent material and covering the first cover member over the outer contours thereof.