Pipe Coupler Flange Gasket Axial Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic pipe joining methods, such as solvent welding and bolted flange joints, face challenges like difficulty in assembly, reliability issues, and inability to accommodate axial pipe contraction under pressure, leading to potential leakage and joint failure.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupler design featuring a body with flanges and an elastomeric gasket, where the gasket is axially sandwiched between the flanges and the body encircles them, allowing for radial compression and accommodating axial contraction through pressurization, reducing the need for extensive bolt tightening and enhancing sealing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a bolted flange joint is used to rigidly mount pipes, then the joint provides strong mechanical connection, but the pipe cannot accommodate axial contraction under pressure, leading to joint damage or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flange joint transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic connection that can move axially. The clamp mechanism allows the flanges to move relative to each other along the pipe axis while maintaining radial clamping force, enabling the joint to adapt to pressure-induced contraction and thermal expansion dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The joint system is divided into functional segments: the rigid flange components provide mechanical strength, while the flexible clamp body and elastomeric gasket provide accommodation for dimensional changes. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while working together as an integrated system
2Ease of operation
If a bell-and-spigot joint is used to connect pipes, then assembly is simplified, but the joint suffers from reliability issues such as gasket rolling and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric gasket is designed as a flexible C-shaped cross-section that can deform to conform to the flange surfaces. This flexibility allows the gasket to maintain sealing contact even when subjected to misalignment or dimensional variations, preventing rolling and leakage while simplifying assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric gasket acts as an intermediary between the rigid flange surfaces and the pipe ends. It absorbs dimensional variations and misalignments that would otherwise cause sealing failures, providing a reliable seal while allowing for easier assembly compared to rigid gasket systems
3Strength
If extensive bolt tightening is applied to secure flange joints, then the mechanical connection strength is improved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism provides self-adjusting clamping force through its mechanical advantage geometry. As the clamp is tightened, the mechanical advantage increases, automatically providing sufficient clamping force without requiring precise torque control or extensive tightening operations, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining strong connections
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces labor required for tightening, and effectively manages axial contraction and thermal expansion, minimizing leakage and joint failure risks while maintaining a secure seal.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric gasket, wherein the gasket is axially sandwiched between the flanges
Implementation Method 2
The internal pressurization of a plastic pipe will cause both a radial expansion and an axial contraction
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupler for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe comprises: a body; a first flange and a second flange; and a gasket. The body, first flange, second flange, and gasket are dimensioned to have an assembled condition. The gasket, first flange, and second flange are coaxial. The gasket is axially sandwiched between an inboard face of the first flange and an inboard face of the second flange. The body encircles the gasket, first flange, and second flange and has a first portion axially outboard of the first flange and a second portion axially outboard of the second flange.