Pipe Flange Coupling with Retractable Pawls for High Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flanged pipe coupling methods, particularly threaded connections, are time-consuming, difficult to access, and prone to loosening in high-vibration environments, posing safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A pipe flange coupling device with retractable pawls and a translation arrangement that biases against a mechanical stopper to secure the coupling, allowing for automated and secure connection of flanged pipes even in high-vibration environments, utilizing a spindle with a rotation and translation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections (nut and bolt) are used to couple flanged pipes, then a reliable connection is achieved in static installations, but the connection is time-consuming to connect, difficult to access, and susceptible to loosening in high vibration environments
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device uses a dynamic jaw mechanism that can automatically adjust and clamp onto the pipe flange, replacing the static threaded connection process. The jaw is actuated by a ball screw mechanism that allows rapid opening and closing actions, enabling quick coupling and decoupling operations while maintaining secure connection through the clamping force of the jaw on the flange surface.
2Reliability
If threaded connections are used to couple flanged pipes, then a reliable connection is achieved, but personnel must work immediately adjacent to the flanges which exposes them to unsafe working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the pipe flange. The operator controls the device from a safe distance, and the device's jaw and ball screw mechanism perform the actual coupling action on the flange. This intermediary system eliminates the need for personnel to work immediately adjacent to the flanges, removing them from hazardous zones while maintaining reliable connection through the mechanical clamping action.
3Extent of automation
If a ball screw-type mechanism is used to actuate the coupling jaws, then automated coupling is achieved, but the mechanism might loosen in high-vibration environments unless constantly energized or separately secured
Solution Approach 1:
The ball screw mechanism is designed to maintain its position through the self-locking property of the screw threads. Once the jaw is actuated to clamp the flange, the ball screw mechanism automatically maintains the clamping force without requiring continuous external energy input. The mechanical advantage of the ball screw and the friction in the threads create a self-sustaining system that resists loosening under vibration, eliminating the need for constant energization or separate securing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe flange coupling device, which is attachable in connection with a first pipe of a first pipe flange, having pawls engaging a second pipe flange of a second pipe. The pawls are fixed to a spindle retractable by a translation arrangement so as to pull the second pipe flange against the first pipe flange. More particularly, the translation arrangement is configured such that, when the flanged pipes are coupled and the pawls are retracted, a force exerted on the pawls towards the extended position is transmitted via the translation arrangement against a mechanical stopper. Moreover, the translation arrangement is biased such that the translation arrangement must work against this bias in order to extend the pawls and release the flanged pipes coupled to each other.