Pipe fitting incorporating a spherical spin weld
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional friction welding of pipe fittings for fire sprinkler systems often results in compromised joint integrity and potential leaks due to misalignment, especially when the two halves are not joined in perfect alignment.
Innovation Solution
The use of spherical-shaped halves for the spin welding process ensures a large degree of simultaneous contact and maintains a leakproof connection even with significant angular misalignment, as the design allows for a ball-and-ball configuration that maintains contact and weld integrity regardless of alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cylindrical or flat spin weld joints are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the joint integrity is compromised when misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by replacing conventional cylindrical or flat spin weld joints with spherical spin weld joints. The spherical geometry allows the two pipe sections to self-align during the welding process, maintaining contact between the mating surfaces even when misalignment occurs. This curvature-based design ensures that the spin weld joint maintains integrity and prevents leaks, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If spherical spin weld joints are used, then alignment tolerance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry, while appearing complex, actually simplifies the manufacturing process by providing self-aligning characteristics. The spherical spin weld joints allow for greater alignment tolerance during assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional components. The curvature enables automatic self-alignment during the welding process, reducing the need for precision alignment tools and procedures.
3Ease of operation
If misalignment is allowed in spin welding, then ease of assembly is improved, but leak risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical spin weld joint design allows misalignment to occur during assembly without compromising seal integrity. The curved spherical surfaces maintain contact between mating surfaces even when the pipe sections are not perfectly aligned, preventing water leakage. This resolves the contradiction by enabling ease of assembly with misalignment tolerance while maintaining reliability through the self-aligning spherical geometry.
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
This approach ensures a reliable, leakproof connection that withstands fluid pressure and maintains seal integrity even if the halves are not perfectly aligned during the welding process, reducing the risk of leaks and enhancing the durability of the connection.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention spin weld process is used to join the two plastic body halves together... by rubbing them against each other until they melt
Implementation Method 2
The present invention relates to the field of assembling articles by a process known as friction welding where two pieces of plastic are fused together
Implementation Method 3
The two parts are then held after melting until the two melted parts cool. After the two melted parts have cooled, they become completely fused
Implementation Method 4
The two parts are then held after melting until the two melted parts cool... they become completely fused
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece connection between a supply pipe from a source of water and a connection to a fire sprinkler with the connector having a first or rear section entirely above a ceiling and a second or front section connected to the first section with the connection entirely above a ceiling and the forward portion of second section connected to the fire sprinkler. The first connector section, located entirely above a ceiling, has a spherical male sidewall with a rounded leading edge and a rear portion of the second connector section has a spherical female interior surface.