Pipe Fitting Cradle with Self-Aligning Plates and Cinch Chains

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pipe fitting processes are often time-consuming, require extensive experience, and necessitate additional assistance for accurate alignment, leveling, and squaring of pipes, flanges, and fittings, making them inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A pipe fitting system comprising a fitting cradle with precision-cut positioning plates and a fitting rest, secured by nuts and bolts, and utilizing cinch chains and shims for alignment, along with a racquet wrench for easy assembly and adjustment, allowing solo operation and precise fitting without additional tools or personnel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional pipe fitting methods are used, then extensive experience and multiple personnel are required for accurate alignment, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidfitting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fitting system incorporates self-aligning features where the fitting cradle and positioning plates automatically guide the pipe into proper alignment through gravity and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for multiple workers to manually adjust and measure alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting cradle serves as an intermediary device between the pipe and the final installation position, providing a stable platform with integrated positioning features that ensure accurate alignment without requiring skilled operators to perform complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional pipe fitting methods are used, then accurate alignment can be achieved with experience, but additional personnel are necessary for assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting accuracyVSAvoidsystem simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fitting system is divided into distinct modular components including the fitting cradle, positioning plates, and support structures, each performing a specific function that collectively ensures accurate fitting while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting cradle acts as an intermediary device that incorporates all necessary alignment and positioning features in a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and personnel while maintaining high fitting accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple personnel are used for pipe fitting, then accurate alignment and leveling can be achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment consistencyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-leveling and self-aligning mechanisms where the fitting cradle and positioning plates automatically establish consistent alignment through gravitational forces and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for multiple workers to manually measure and adjust

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting cradle is pre-configured with positioning plates and alignment features before the pipe is installed, so that when the pipe is placed in the cradle, the alignment is automatically established without requiring manual measurement or adjustment by multiple personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If traditional fitting methods are used, then experienced workers can achieve accurate results, but the process takes many years of experience to master

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidlearning curve

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8985565B2Pipe fitting system

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 MANN ROBERT

AI summary

A pipe fitting system to fit a selected one of one or more pipes, one or more flanges and one or more fittings that includes one or more fitting cradles, a fitting rest with a pair of apertures, the fitting rest is removably secured to the bottom fitting bed and a plurality of cinch chains each with a first end, the cinch chains are used to secure one or more fitting cradles to a fitting beam. The system also includes a high tensile steel racquet wrench to loosen and to tighten the bolts of the pipe fitting system.