Pipe End Roller Geometry to Prevent Flare During Grooving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll grooving methods result in unwanted pipe end flare and inadequate surface finish, which can compromise the integrity of fluid-tight seals and mechanical couplings.
Innovation Solution
A roller set with specific geometric features on inner and outer rollers, including raised and depressed surfaces, is used to form pipe ends, preventing flare and enhancing surface finish for improved sealing and coupling compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pipe element rotates about its longitudinal axis during grooving, then groove formation is achieved, but pipe end flare occurs due to material deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The inner roller's shoulder portion applies preliminary counter-action to the pipe end material before the outer roller deforms it for groove formation. This preliminary support prevents the material from flowing outward to form a flare, counteracting the harmful effect before it can occur during the groove forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner roller serves as an intermediary that mediates between the rotational motion required for groove formation and the need to prevent pipe end flare. By contacting the pipe end with its shoulder, it controls the material behavior during rotation, enabling productive groove formation without harmful flare.
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 roller set effectively controls pipe end flare, enhances surface finish for fluid-tight seals, and improves the performance of mechanical couplings by ensuring precise diameter control and increased pressure capability.
Implementation Method 1
incrementally compressing the sidewall of the pipe element between the rollers while rotating at least one of the rollers
Implementation Method 2
the material of the pipe is deformed to form the groove
Implementation Method 3
engaging an inner roller with an inner surface of a pipe element and an outer roller with an outer surface of the pipe element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
AI summary
A roller set (10) for roll forming pipe elements has an outer roller (14) that engages the pipe element at two points to prevent teetering of the pipe element The roller set (10) comprises an inner roller (12) engageable with the inner surface and an outer roller (14) engageable with the outer surface. The outer roller (14) comprises an outer roller body (16) rotatable about a first axis (18). A first raised feature (20), engageable with the pipe element extends circumferentially about the outer roller body (16) and projects radially from the first axis (18). A second raised feature (22), engageable with the pipe element extends circumferentially about the outer roller body (16) and projects radially from the first axis (18), the second raised feature (22) being positioned adjacent to the first raised feature (20). Further, the inner roller (12) comprises an inner roller body (64) rotatable about a second axis (66). A first depression (70) extends circumferentially around the inner roller body (64). A second depression (72) extends circumferentially around the inner roller body (64) and is positioned adjacent to the first depression (70). A projection (84) extends circumferentially around the inner roller body (64) and projects radially from the second axis (66), the projection (84) being positioned between the first and second depressions (70,72) and having a radius greater than the radius of a portion of the inner roller (12) proximate to the second depression (72). The inner and outer rollers (12,14) cooperate to form the region of the pipe element whereby the first and second raised features (20,22) align respectively with the first and second depressions (70,72).