Stepped Ball-and-Socket Pipe Connection to Prevent Seal Slip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connections are prone to leaks due to the sealing element slipping out, increasing assembly effort and posing a risk with toxic media escape, especially in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Innovation Solution
A ball/socket connection with an inclined inner and outer sealing surface, a toroidal sealing element, and a mechanical fastening system using a clamp to ensure a form-fitting seal and mechanical stability, allowing for easy assembly and reliable operation even at slight angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is inserted between sealing flanges to ensure tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but the sealing element can slip out of the joint causing leaks and increasing installation effort
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface of the socket is divided circumferentially into an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface, with a step formed at the boundary. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be retained by the step structure, preventing it from slipping out while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the ball and socket, with its elastic material allowing it to adapt to the two-part sealing surface and be positively locked by the step, thereby preventing slippage while maintaining the seal.
2Reliability
If the sealing surface is divided into inner and outer surfaces with a step, then the sealing element is prevented from slipping out, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is segmented into inner and outer surfaces with a step, creating a simple geometric feature that effectively retains the sealing element without requiring complex mechanical retention structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal (ring-shaped) cross-section of the sealing element with curved surfaces complements the spherical geometry of the ball and socket connection, allowing the sealing element to be retained by the step while maintaining smooth curved contact surfaces for effective sealing.
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 provides a reliable, leak-proof connection with reduced assembly effort and enhanced mechanical stability, ensuring safe operation and chemical resistance across various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
Since the sealing element is made of an elastic material, it can adapt to the shape of the two-part sealing surface of the pan, enabling a positive fit between the step arranged in the sealing surface and the sealing element
Implementation Method 2
By means of such an externally located clamp, a force-fit connection between two pipelines can be established by screwing or clamping, and/or an axial preload can be applied to the joint between the two pipelines. This axial preload can, on the one hand, press the ball into the pan and thereby compress a sealing element, thus creating a fluid-tight connection between the pipe ends
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pipeline (10) which has a pan (100) at at least one end, as part of a connecting system, wherein the pan (100) has an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface which are inclined inwards, and the inner sealing surface and the outer sealing surface are separated from one another by a step. The invention also relates to a sealing element (20) having a toroidal basic shape, in which the cross section has a first contact surface and a second contact surface with an upper face and a lower face, wherein the first contact surface is intended to rest on an outer face (14) of a pipeline (10), and the second contact surface is intended to rest on a sealing surface which is inclined in the direction of the pipe interior. Finally, the invention relates to a pipe connection (30) for connection of two pipelines (10) using a sealing element (20) such as this.