Pipe Coupling Pressing Ring for Fluid-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings face challenges in achieving a fluid-tight seal, particularly in angled pipe junctions, due to the lack of contact between the seal and pipes along most of the split, leading to potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling design featuring an annular seal with end rings and a pressing ring secured to the annular clamp housing using a mechanical fastener, which includes a washer flange and threaded shaft to ensure a water-tight seal by pressing against the axial edges of the seal, and optionally using winged extensions and non-metal fasteners to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seal has integrally formed rings at opposite ends with axial split, then the inner diameter of the rings can be adjusted to accommodate different pipe outer diameters, but the edges of the seal along the split are not adequately pressed together to form a fluid-tight seal
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the seal and the clamp housing. The pressing ring has a curved inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the seal, and when tightened with a mechanical fastener, it presses the seal edges together at the split to ensure fluid-tight sealing while allowing the seal to maintain its adjustable inner diameter configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pipes do not contact the seal along most of the split, then the coupling can accommodate different pipe configurations, but the edges of the seal along the split are not adequately pressed together
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing ring serves as a mediator that transfers the clamping force directly to the seal edges at the split. It has a curved inner surface designed to contact the seal's outer surface and press the split edges together, ensuring reliable sealing independent of pipe contact along the split
3Strength
If metal fasteners are used to secure the pressing ring, then a strong mechanical connection is achieved, but galvanic corrosion may occur between dissimilar metals
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system uses composite material construction where the pressing ring can be made of non-metallic materials (such as polymer or composite) combined with metal fastening components. This approach maintains the necessary mechanical strength for securing the pressing ring while preventing galvanic corrosion by eliminating direct contact between dissimilar metals
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 effectively creates a water-tight junction by ensuring the annular seal is securely pressed against the pipe coupling, preventing leaks and maintaining a fluid-tight seal even in non-coaxial connections, while also addressing galvanic corrosion concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing ring secured to and pressed against the annular seal and a side wall of the annular clamp housing with a mechanical fastener
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical fastener includes a threaded shaft with a washer flange, the washer flange having a lower rim and the threaded shaft extending from opposite sides of the washer flange, wherein when nuts are tightened on both ends of the threaded shaft, the lower rim bites into the annular seal
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling including an annular clamp having an opening at at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, the annular clamp including two clamp members, an annular seal disposed in the annular clamp, and a mechanical fastener that includes a threaded shaft with a washer flange, the washer flange having a lower rim, wherein when nuts are tightened on both ends of the threaded shaft, the lower rim bites into the annular seal.