Pipe Conductor Seal With Elastomer Flexure for Fluid Isolation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seals in metal pipes with insulated electrical conductors fail to effectively prevent fluid ingress into the space between electrical contacts and the pipe interior, which can lead to electrical short circuits and require additional relief features for thread lubricant, compromising handling and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A seal made of elastomer, such as polyurethane or nitrile rubber, is disposed on the interior wall of the pipe segment, allowing inward flexure under pressure to relieve extruded lubricant and prevent fluid entry, while maintaining electrical isolation between the electrical contacts and the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is added to prevent fluid ingress, then electrical insulation reliability is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulation reliabilityVSAvoidseal structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is integrated with the electrical contact assembly, combining the sealing function with the electrical connection function in a single component. This eliminates the need for separate seal elements and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable fluid exclusion and electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents fluid ingress into the electrical contact space, provides electrical insulation between the conductor and pipe interior, and accommodates thread lubricant relief. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a seal is added to exclude fluid, then electrical short circuit prevention is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid exclusion capabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is designed with flexible elastomeric material that can dynamically deform during assembly and disassembly operations. The seal flexes to accommodate thread engagement and lubricant extrusion, then maintains its sealing position under operating conditions, enabling easy assembly while ensuring reliable fluid exclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal's physical parameters (shape, position) change in response to assembly pressure and lubricant extrusion forces. The seal deforms elastically during threading operations to allow lubricant relief, then returns to its sealing configuration, maintaining fluid exclusion without preventing assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the seal is made rigid to maintain sealing, then fluid exclusion is improved, but ability to relieve thread lubricant pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidthread lubricant pressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal's physical parameters (shape, position) change in response to assembly pressure and lubricant extrusion forces. The seal deforms elastically during threading operations to allow lubricant relief, then returns to its sealing configuration, maintaining fluid exclusion without preventing assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is designed with flexible elastomeric material that can dynamically deform during assembly and disassembly operations. The seal flexes to accommodate thread engagement and lubricant extrusion, then maintains its sealing position under operating conditions, enabling easy assembly while ensuring reliable fluid exclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 elastomer seal effectively prevents fluid ingress and electrical short circuits, allowing seamless assembly and disassembly of pipe segments without additional relief features for lubricant, ensuring reliable electrical insulation and handling.

Implementation Method 1

A seal disposed on an interior of an insulating layer on an interior wall of each respective pipe segment provides a space beyond the end of the seal to enable inward flexure of the seal under pressure such that lubricant extruded by connecting the male threaded end and the female threaded end is pressure relieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4165277B1Seal and insulator for pipe having an insulated electrical conductor

Publication Date: 2025.07.30 REELWELL AS

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AI summary

A pipe segment having an insulated electrical conductor includes a first electrical contact disposed at one end of an electrical conductor on an interior of the pipe segment from a male threaded connection on one end to a female threaded connection on the other end of the pipe segment. A second electrical contact is on the other end of the insulated electrical conductor. The first contact makes electrical connection with the second contact in an adjacent segment when the male connection on one segment is engaged to the female connection on the adjacent segment. A seal disposed on an interior of an insulating layer on an interior wall of each respective pipe segment provides a space beyond the end of the seal to enable inward flexure of the seal under pressure such that lubricant extruded by connecting the male threaded end and the female threaded end is pressure relieved.