Pipe Coupling Seal Layout for Thermal Expansion and Angular Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connecting systems fail to accommodate thermal expansion and angular changes in pipe conduits while maintaining reliable sealing, especially in aircraft applications where dirt deposition at sealing surfaces impairs movement and causes deformation.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connecting system with a clamp and retaining ring design that allows for axial and angular movement of pipe pieces, featuring sealing rings on the outer side of the pipe pieces to minimize dirt accumulation and ensure continuous contact during thermal expansion and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If seals are designed to slide along sealing surfaces to accommodate relative movement, then changes in length and angle can be accommodated, but dirt deposits in the sealing surfaces causing the seals to no longer slide
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is inverted from the conventional design where it slides along the pipe piece sealing surface to a design where the pipe piece sealing surface slides along the sealing ring. This inversion is achieved by providing the sealing ring on the outer side of the pipe piece, with the sealing surface of the pipe piece extending onto the inner side of the sealing ring. This allows the sealing interface to move in a way that prevents dirt accumulation while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the pipe piece and the external environment. By positioning the sealing ring on the outer side of the pipe piece and designing the sealing surfaces to extend onto the inner side of the sealing ring, the system creates an intermediate sealing zone that is protected from external contaminants while still allowing for relative movement.
2Weight of moving object
If plastic pipes are used instead of metal pipes to save weight and cost, then weight and cost are reduced, but coefficients of thermal expansion increase one to four times with lower rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction of plastic pipes. The clamp provides a flexible connection that can accommodate changes in length and angle without imposing rigid constraints on the plastic pipe, thereby managing thermal expansion effects while maintaining the benefits of using lightweight plastic material.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling is designed to be flexible and smooth-running to accommodate movement, then adaptability is improved, but it may act as an actuator building up axial forces under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with differentiated local qualities: the clamping surfaces provide rigid contact points to prevent separation, while the overall structure remains flexible to accommodate movement. The contact surfaces are specifically designed to be non-frictional, allowing the pipe pieces to move relative to each other without generating significant axial forces, thus maintaining both flexibility and force management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sealing surfaces are positioned to allow seal movement, then accommodation of movement is possible, but dirt deposition occurs in the sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is inverted from the conventional configuration to prevent dirt deposition. Instead of the seal sliding along a pipe piece surface that is exposed to the environment, the sealing ring is positioned on the outer side of the pipe piece with the sealing surfaces extending onto the inner side of the sealing ring. This inversion creates a protected sealing zone that is less susceptible to dirt accumulation while maintaining the ability to accommodate relative movement.
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 system effectively accommodates changes in length and angle of pipe conduits, preventing dirt deposition and ensuring reliable sealing, thus reducing the risk of deformation and maintaining fluid integrity under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
seals that lie against the pipe pieces connected to one another, and the corresponding sealing surfaces on the pipe pieces, must be designed such that a relative movement between the seals and the pipe pieces is possible
Implementation Method 2
a first sealing ring which lies against a first sealing surface, which sealing surface is formed on the outer side, oriented away from the longitudinal axis, of the first pipe piece
Implementation Method 3
the clamp preferably has a first and a second contact surface, which are designed to lie against the clamping surfaces of the pipe pieces, the clamp further being designed to prevent the pipe pieces, and preferably the clamping surfaces, from moving away from one another
Implementation Method 4
The resulting large temperature fluctuations cause the corresponding conduits to thermally expand or contract
Implementation Method 5
there are deformations of the fuselage that the conduits also have to accommodate
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe connecting system for first and second pipe pieces extending along a common longitudinal axis includes a clamp. The pipe pieces each have first end and first clamping surfaces. The clamp has first and second contact surfaces lying against respective clamping surfaces to prevent the clamping surfaces from moving away from one another, while leaving a space between the first and second end surfaces. A retaining ring has a sealing connection attachment to the second pipe piece, and on which a sealing ring is mounted, the sealing ring lying against a circumferential first sealing surface of the first pipe piece. An interior of the first and second pipe pieces between the two pipe pieces is sealed against the surrounding environment by the sealing connection. The two pipe pieces can move towards one another without the first sealing ring moving out of contact with the first sealing surface.