Expandable Pipe Flow Blocker for Pressurized Temporary Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for temporarily blocking fluid flow in pipes, such as freezing or using large, costly devices with integrated cutting tools, are inadequate for hot and cold pressurized pipes and do not provide a compact, cost-effective solution for pipe repair and upgrading.
Innovation Solution
A compact flow blockage device with a resilient outer sealing part that expands radially using an expansion pin or torsional compression, combined with an expandable inner cage structure, allowing for secure sealing without the need for extensive heating or cooling, and enabling easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe cutting tool and valve are integrated in one device, then the blockage function is achieved, but the device size increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the pipe cutting tool and the valve into two independent devices. The valve can be installed first to provide the blockage function, while the pipe cutting tool is used separately for pipe modification. This segmentation eliminates the need for an integrated large-sized device, reducing both device complexity and cost while maintaining the blockage function.
2Reliability
If an ice plug is used to block the pipe, then the blockage is achieved, but the blockage duration is limited and the pipe must be cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from ice (temporary, temperature-dependent) to a mechanical valve (durable, temperature-independent). The valve can maintain its blocking function indefinitely without melting, regardless of whether the pipe is hot or cold, thus extending the blockage duration significantly and eliminating the need for cooling the pipe.
3Reliability
If a resilient outer sealing part expands radially, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient outer sealing part is designed to dynamically expand radially during installation to achieve effective sealing. This dynamic expansion is triggered by a simple mechanism (such as an expansion pin or spring activation) that transforms a straightforward insertion operation into an effective seal, maintaining ease of operation while improving sealing reliability.
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 solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and physically compact means to temporarily block fluid flow in pipes, suitable for both hot and cold pressurized fluids, ensuring safety and efficiency in pipe repair and upgrading processes.
Implementation Method 1
the outer sealing part comprises a resilient outer layer (e.g. outer sleeve)... the outer sealing part is configured to expand laterally (e.g. radially) relative to the insertion axis (e.g. in response to insertion of an expansion pin or axial or torsional compression applied to the expandable inner structure)
Implementation Method 2
the outer sealing part comprises a pair of opposed inner surfaces configured to be radially outwardly displaced by an expansion pin advancing axially through the outer sealing part between the pair of opposed inner surfaces to cause radially outward expansion of outer surfaces of the outer sealing part
Implementation Method 3
the expandable cage structure comprises a plurality of axially extending struts spaced circumferentially relative to the insertion axis, whereby a central portion of each strut is configured to extend radially outwards in response to an expansion force applied to the expandable cage structure (e.g. displacement by the advancing expansion pin or axial compression applied to the expandable inner structure)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
Apparatus for temporarily blocking fluid flow through a pipe (20), comprising: a housing (40) configured to enclose a portion of a pipe through which fluid flow is to be blocked, the housing comprising: a first part defining a housing chamber configured to receive the portion of the pipe; and a second part extending from the first part, the second part defining a stowage space adjacent the housing chamber; a flow blockage device (400) movable along an insertion axis from a stowed position in the stowage space (410) through an aperture formed in one side of the pipe to an installed position in the housing chamber; and wherein the flow blockage device (400) includes an outer sealing part (420), the outer sealing part (420) being configurable when the flow blockage device (400) is in the installed position between an unexpanded configuration allowing the flow blockage device (400) to pass through the aperture and allowing fluid flow through the portion of pipe in the housing chamber between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device (400) and inner surfaces of the portion of pipe and an expanded configuration configured to block fluid flow through the portion of pipe in the housing chamber by substantially preventing passage of fluid between outer side surfaces of the flow blockage device and inner surfaces of the portion of pipe.