Pipe Fitting Inspection Tool for Non-Disassembly Tightness Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting the integrity of mechanical connections in fluid systems, such as pipe fittings, are inadequate as they often require disassembly and are prone to human error, leading to leaks and safety issues due to incorrect assembly and tightening.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld tool that assesses the connection condition of mechanical fittings without disassembly, using a novel method to measure the axial length of components and detect deviations, allowing for accurate detection of incorrect assemblies and tightening issues, and providing a simplified display of conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods are used to assess connection integrity, then disassembly is required to inspect internal components, but this leads to loss of time, increased complexity, and potential damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly inspection with electromagnetic field-based measurement. A measurement tool generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the connection components, allowing assessment of tightening torque and integrity without physical disassembly. This substitution of mechanical inspection with electromagnetic measurement achieves both high precision and time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the inspection tool and the connection components. The electromagnetic field penetrates the components and provides measurement information about tightening torque and integrity, serving as a non-contact mediator that enables inspection without direct physical interaction or disassembly.
2Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used, then human operators can assess connections, but this introduces human factor errors and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement tool performs self-assessment by automatically generating electromagnetic fields, measuring the responses, and determining connection integrity parameters. The system serves itself by providing objective, repeatable measurements without human intervention in the assessment process, eliminating human factor errors while maintaining simplicity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measurement tool receives electromagnetic responses from the connection components, processes this information, and provides immediate feedback about tightening torque and integrity. This automated feedback loop ensures consistent, reliable assessments without human error while keeping the system operationally simple.
3Measurement precision
If disassembly is performed for inspection, then internal components can be examined, but this causes loss of substance, increased device complexity, and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly with electromagnetic measurement to detect component conditions. The electromagnetic field interacts with the internal components through the material, allowing detection of tightening torque, presence of components, and potential defects without physical contact or disassembly, thus preserving component integrity while achieving precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic field serves as a non-invasive intermediary that penetrates the connection components and provides measurement information about internal conditions. This intermediary enables detection of component presence, tightening torque, and integrity without physical disassembly, preventing damage and preserving substance while achieving high measurement precision.
4Productivity
If visual inspection methods are used, then connections can be quickly assessed, but this lacks precision and cannot detect internal conditions or tightening issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection with electromagnetic field-based measurement, maintaining the speed advantage of non-contact methods while achieving high precision. The electromagnetic field provides quantitative data about tightening torque and component conditions that visual methods cannot detect, combining the speed of visual inspection with the precision of instrumental measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an evaluation tool and method for inspecting the integrity of any physical industry connections (hereinafter fittings). The tool comprises a first component (21) provided with a recess (23) to facilitate its engagement with a fitting to be evaluated (see FIG. 10); and a second component (20) connected to, and moveable relative to, the first component (21). Movement of the second component (20) relative to the first component (21) establishes a measurement between two surfaces (32, 33 in FIG. 10) of a fitting (34) to be evaluated, e.g. between an adjustable ferrule or nut (32) and a fixed part (33) of a fitting (34). The measurement is directly (27, 28), or indirectly, indicative of one or more predetermined connection conditions (e.g. over or under tightening of the adjustable component). The predetermined connection conditions may be read directly from the tool, remotely via an electronic device, or by late cross-referencing against entries in a database.