Pipe Coupling Auxiliary Clamp for Axial Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings lack sufficient axial stability and redundancy in clamping force, which can lead to inadvertent separation of pipes under mechanical stress or failure of primary clamping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The addition of one or more auxiliary clamps with auxiliary clamp members and tightening elements, positioned either axially inward or outward of the primary annular clamp housing, provides a redundant radially-inward clamping force, enhancing the stability and sealing capability of the pipe coupling by integrating these elements with a flange and annular seal member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single annular clamp housing with clamp members is used, then the device complexity is low, but the axial stability and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe coupling is divided into multiple independent clamp units: a primary annular clamp housing with clamp members and one or more auxiliary clamps with auxiliary clamp members. Each clamp unit can independently apply clamping force to the pipe, providing redundancy and enhanced axial stability while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary clamps serve as a pre-positioned backup clamping mechanism that activates if the primary clamp fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous clamping force and prevents pipe separation even when the primary clamping mechanism fails, directly addressing the reliability concern
2Reliability
If only primary clamp members are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the sealing reliability is insufficient under high stress
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is segmented into primary and auxiliary clamp members that work independently but complement each other. The auxiliary clamp members are positioned to provide additional sealing pressure specifically in high-stress regions, enhancing overall sealing reliability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire clamp system
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary clamps are strategically positioned at specific locations along the pipe coupling where sealing reliability is most critical. This local enhancement of clamping capability provides improved sealing where needed most, rather than uniformly increasing clamping force along the entire pipe length
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 significantly enhances the axial stability and sealing reliability of the pipe coupling by ensuring continued clamping force even if the primary clamping mechanism fails, providing a robust and reliable connection against axial separation forces.
Implementation Method 1
clamp members and a tightening element that fastens and tightens the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of the body so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe inserted in the opening
Implementation Method 2
The annular seal element returns to its original dimensions after release of the tightening element
Implementation Method 3
the at least one annular clamp housing includes an annular seal member which is radially squeezed when at least one of the tightening element and the auxiliary tightening element is tightened
Implementation Method 4
The annular seal element returns to its original dimensions after release of the tightening element
Implementation Method 5
a wedge-shaped gripper arranged for sliding and abutting against each of the annular inclined surfaces, wherein tightening at least one of the tightening element and the auxiliary tightening element applies a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe and a radially-inward clamping force on the annular inclined surfaces that moves and wedges the wedge-shaped grippers in an axial direction
Implementation Method 6
tightening at least one of the tightening element and the auxiliary tightening element applies a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe and a radially-inward clamping force on the annular inclined surfaces that moves and wedges the wedge-shaped grippers in an axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling including at least one annular clamp housing at an end of a body, the at least one annular clamp housing having an opening for inserting therein a pipe and including clamp members and a tightening element that fastens and tightens the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of the body so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe inserted in the opening, at least one auxiliary clamp including auxiliary clamp members located near the at least one annular clamp housing, and an auxiliary tightening element that fastens and tightens the auxiliary clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to the axial length of the body so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe inserted in the opening.