Pipe End Clamping Rod for Longitudinal Seam Welding Prep

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for preparing large-diameter pipes for longitudinal-seam welding are inefficient, particularly due to the high time and cost associated with affixing and removing auxiliary connectors, which are necessary for safe transport but complicate the welding process.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with gripping devices mounted on a rigid connection rod, allowing for secure temporary connection of pipe ends without the need for auxiliary connectors, thereby reducing the load on tack welds and enabling quick, safe, and cost-effective preparation for welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary connectors (cleats) are welded into pipe elements to support the tack weld for safe transport, then the transport safety is improved, but the time expenditure for affixing and removing the auxiliary connectors increases markedly, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the transport support function from the welding process by using a separate clamping device that can be applied independently. The clamping device with gripping jaws temporarily holds the pipe ends during transport without requiring permanent auxiliary connectors to be welded in, thus ensuring transport safety while avoiding the time-consuming welding and removal processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device acts as an intermediary solution between the pipe element and the transport requirements. The gripping jaws with gripping surfaces provide the necessary support during transport, while the adjustable position of the gripping elements allows adaptation to different pipe configurations, eliminating the need for time-consuming auxiliary connector operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If auxiliary connectors are welded into pipe elements to support the tack weld, then the transport safety is improved, but the time expenditure for affixing and removing the auxiliary connectors increases markedly, increasing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidtime expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is designed to be self-contained with its own gripping mechanism that does not require external welding operations. The adjustable gripping elements can be positioned and secured without additional processes, allowing rapid application and removal while maintaining transport safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If welding auxiliary connectors is performed to support the tack weld, then the transport safety is improved, but structural changes in the pipe material may occur, affecting quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidstructural changes in pipe material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical clamping system. The gripping jaws apply mechanical force through gripping surfaces to hold the pipe ends, eliminating the need for welding auxiliary connectors and thus preventing any thermal or structural changes to the pipe material while still ensuring transport safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple sequential work steps including affixing and removing auxiliary connectors are performed, then the transport safety is improved, but the throughput decreases, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is designed to be applied in advance during the pipe forming process, before the welding operations. The gripping elements can be positioned and secured while the pipe is being formed, eliminating the need for separate affixing and removal steps that would otherwise be required, thus maintaining transport safety while improving throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12337423B2Clamping device for longitudinal-seam-welded pipe elements

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 EEW SPECIAL PIPE CONSTR GMBH

AI summary

Provided is a clamping device for temporarily connecting two ends of a large-pipe element with at least two connection devices and a rigid connection rod, with the connection devices being arranged at the ends of the connection rod. The clamping device is used to connect and secure the plate ends of large pipes and large-pipe elements. The clamping device is, unlike the known tack welds or auxiliary connectors (cleats), mobile, reusable, and versatile. It can be mounted quickly and securely on pipe elements of different diameters in order to reduce the load on the tack weld and, in the event of tack weld failure, take the place of it.