Oversized Pipe Coupling Clamp for Misalignment and Thermal Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe couplings fail to accommodate linear and angular movements of pipe ends, leading to issues such as kinking, bending, or leakage due to misalignment or thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling design featuring an oversized outer clamp with radially inwardly extending flanges, allowing for linear and angular movements of pipe ends while maintaining a fluid-tight seal through strategically placed seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pipe coupling holds pipe ends in a fixed position, then the connection is stable, but the pipes cannot accommodate linear or angular movements, leading to kinking, bending, or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The outer clamp assembly is designed with flanges spaced apart to allow dynamic movement of the first connector body relative to the second connector body. This enables the pipe coupling to adapt to linear and angular movements of the connected pipes while maintaining a sealed connection, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and movement adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the first and second flanges of the outer clamp assembly is specifically designed to be larger than the extent of the seal receiving section, creating a parameter that allows for movement tolerance. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate thermal expansion and structural changes while maintaining connection integrity.
2Reliability
If the pipe ends are fixed in position, then sealing is maintained, but thermal expansion or shortening of pipes causes the pipes to become loose or pull out of the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The outer clamp assembly with spaced flanges creates a dynamic sealing system where the first connector body can move relative to the second connector body. This dynamic design allows the sealing arrangement to maintain integrity during thermal expansion and contraction while preventing the pipes from becoming loose or pulling out of the coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The first outer seal acts as an intermediary element that maintains the fluid-tight barrier between the first connector body and the outer clamp assembly while allowing relative movement. This intermediary sealing mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and accommodating thermal movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an oversized outer clamp with spaced flanges is used to allow movement, then adaptability to pipe movements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer clamp assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface for the first outer seal, allows linear movement through spaced flanges, and permits angular movement through the radial spacing of flange inner surfaces from connector outer surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while providing movement tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer clamp assembly is segmented into flanges that are spaced apart, creating independent zones that allow movement while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation enables the clamp to accommodate pipe movements without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire coupling system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pipe coupling having tolerances for a relative movement of pipe ends coupled by the pipe coupling. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a pipe coupling allowing a linear as well as angular movement of the coupled pipe ends relative to one another by providing an oversized outer clamp assembly.