Pipe End Sealing Tool with Balanced Radial Lock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe end sealing methods, such as welding caps or using internal isolation plugs, are costly, time-consuming, and can impose unbalanced loads on the pipe wall due to the alignment of sealing and locking mechanisms, leading to potential ejection and stress issues during pressure testing.

Innovation Solution

A pipe end sealing tool with a body featuring a radial seal and lock arrangement, where the seal applies pressure to the inner pipe wall and the lock engages the outer wall, balancing loads and providing a compact, self-energized, fail-safe solution that separates sealing and locking functions to avoid unbalanced loads and stress on the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an internal isolation plug is used to seal the pipe end, then the sealing function is achieved, but the plug and its locking mechanism impose unbalanced radial loads on the pipe wall, causing potential ejection and stress issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidhoop stress on pipe wall

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing tool is divided into two independent functional components: a seal element that applies radial sealing pressure to the inner pipe wall, and a lock element that applies radial clamping pressure to the outer pipe wall. This segmentation allows the sealing and locking functions to be performed separately, with the lock counterbalancing the ejection force generated by the seal, thereby reducing unbalanced hoop stress on the pipe wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock element acts as a counterweight mechanism, applying radial pressure to the outer pipe wall that opposes and balances the radial sealing pressure applied by the seal element to the inner pipe wall. This counterbalancing effect prevents the unbalanced loads that would otherwise cause pipe wall stress and potential ejection of the plug.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If a mechanical cap is used to seal the pipe end, then the sealing and locking functions are achieved, but the cap requires a straight length of pipe and creates localized stresses on the tubing wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing and locking reliabilityVSAvoidstraight pipe length required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal element and lock element are nested within each other, with the seal positioned inside the lock structure. This nested arrangement allows both sealing and locking functions to be integrated in a compact configuration that requires minimal straight pipe length, eliminating the need for extended straight pipe sections required by conventional mechanical caps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If welding a cap onto the tubing is used to seal the end, then the sealing is secure, but the process is expensive and time-consuming, and the cap must be cut off after testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing securityVSAvoidtime for welding and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical sealing and locking system. The seal element provides sealing through radial compression, and the lock element provides secure attachment through radial clamping, both achieved through mechanical means rather than thermal welding. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming welding and removal operations while maintaining secure sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing tool is designed as a reusable device that can be applied and removed multiple times without damage. Unlike welded caps that must be cut off and discarded, this mechanical seal and lock system can be recovered and reused on different pipe ends, reducing waste and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 tool effectively seals pipe ends with balanced loads, reducing the risk of ejection and stress on the pipe, allowing for efficient pressure testing while being compact and reliable, capable of withstanding pressures over 350 bar.

Implementation Method 1

a seal mounted on the body and adapted to apply a radial sealing pressure to a wall of a pipe end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a lock mounted on the body and adapted to engage a wall of the pipe end. A radial load applied to the pipe wall by the lock is adapted to support the opposing sealing pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2327919B1Pipe end sealing tool

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 STATS UKLTD

AI summary

A pipe end-sealing tool comprises a body. A seal is mounted on the body and is adapted to apply a sealing pressure to an inner wall of a pipe end to be sealed. A lock is also mounted on the body and is adapted to engage an outer wall of the pipe end. Thus, a load applied to the pipe wall by the lock opposes the sealing pressure.