Pipe Coupling With Inserted Gripper Blades for Low-Load Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings for plastic pipes, particularly PE pipes, require high radial compression loads to maintain a fluid-tight seal, often necessitating internal stiffening liners and competing factors between sealing efficiency and grip strength.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling design featuring a gripper ring with displaceable blade elements that are inserted into the pipe's external wall at a predetermined angle, allowing for lower compressive loading and potentially omitting the need for a stiffening liner, using a clamp to apply a radially-inward compressive load and a lip seal that enhances sealing with increasing fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high radial compression loads are applied to crush gripper elements against the pipe periphery, then grip strength and prevention of pipe release is improved, but the pipe may collapse and requires internal stiffening liner
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple independent blade elements (at least three) that can be displaced individually or collectively. These segmented blades insert into the pipe wall at predetermined angles, distributing the gripping force across multiple insertion points rather than applying concentrated crush loads, thereby achieving strong grip without pipe collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism transitions from radial compression (crushing the pipe externally) to axial insertion (penetrating the pipe wall). The blade elements are displaceable between a retracted configuration and an inserted configuration where they engage the pipe wall internally, changing the dimension of force application from external compression to internal anchoring
2Strength
If high radial compression is applied to ensure sufficient grip on the pipe, then grip strength is improved, but sealing efficiency requires competing radial compression factors
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function and sealing function are separated into distinct components. The blade elements provide grip through insertion into the pipe wall, while the lip seal provides sealing independently. This segmentation allows optimization of each function without compromise - grip strength is achieved through blade insertion rather than radial compression, freeing up radial compression requirements for sealing alone
Solution Approach 2:
The blade elements act as intermediaries between the clamp and the pipe wall for force transmission. Instead of the clamp directly compressing the pipe radially, the clamp displaces the blade elements which then insert into and engage the pipe wall, mediating the force application to achieve grip without direct radial compression of the pipe
3Strength
If blade elements are inserted into the pipe wall at predetermined angles, then resistance to axial loads is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple blade elements are merged into a single integrated gripper structure that is displaced as one unit by the clamp. The blades are arranged at predetermined angles to each other and are collectively displaced from a retracted configuration to an inserted configuration, combining multiple gripping functions into a single coordinated mechanism rather than requiring separate actuators for each blade
Solution Approach 2:
The blade elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical interlocking with the pipe wall for grip strength, resist axial loads through their insertion geometry, and can accommodate pipe irregularities such as out-of-round conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components
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 enables a fluid-tight seal with reduced compressive loading, improved resistance to axial loads, and accommodation of pipes with minor irregularities, such as being out of round, without the need for high crush loading or internal stiffening.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp for applying a radially-inward compressive load on the at least one gripper ring to displace the blade elements thereof from the pipe-receiving configuration to the inserted configuration
Implementation Method 2
a gripper which includes a plurality of blade elements which are displaceable between a first, pipe-receiving configuration in which the pipe is receivable within the at least one gripper ring and a second, inwardly-displaced inserted configuration in which the blade elements are inserted into an external wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe connector or coupling for providing a coupling to a pipe, the pipe coupling comprising: at least one gripper ring which receives a pipe therewithin, wherein the at least one gripper ring comprises a gripper which includes a plurality of blade elements which are displaceable between a first, pipe-receiving configuration in which the pipe is receivable within the at least one gripper ring and a second, inwardly-displaced inserted configuration in which the blade elements are inserted into an external wall of the pipe; and a clamp for applying a radially-inward compressive load on the at least one gripper ring to displace the blade elements thereof from the pipe-receiving configuration to the inserted configuration.