Pipe Gripper Wedge Cone for Secure Inner-Diameter Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping apparatuses for pipes in refineries, petro-chemical plants, and power plants face challenges in securely gripping and holding pipes with varying diameters and surfaces, often causing damage or requiring complex actuation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus featuring a body with a wedge cone and discrete gripping devices, such as balls or rollers, actuated by a collective or individual actuation-retraction mechanism, which engages the pipe's inner diameter with a textured outer surface to secure the grip without damaging the pipe, using springs or other actuation methods for effective locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripping apparatus uses a textured outer surface with a transition curve to engage the pipe, then the grip is secure and damage-free, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise surface geometry control
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping apparatus employs a transition curve on its outer surface that transitions from a cylindrical body to a spherical or rounded gripping end. This curvature allows the gripping surface to conform to the pipe's inner diameter, distributing contact forces evenly and preventing localized stress concentrations that could damage the pipe while maintaining a secure grip.
2Force
If discrete gripping devices are used with a wedge cone mechanism, then the gripping force is increased, but the actuation mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge cone mechanism is designed to automatically actuate the discrete gripping devices (such as balls or rollers) when the gripping apparatus is inserted into the pipe. The wedge cone's geometry converts the insertion motion into radial outward force, causing the gripping devices to engage the pipe's inner surface without requiring separate actuation systems, thereby increasing gripping force while minimizing actuation complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gripping apparatus is designed to accommodate varying pipe diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping apparatus incorporates discrete gripping devices (balls, rollers, or wedge-shaped elements) that are free to move radially and adjust their position based on the pipe's inner diameter. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same apparatus to securely grip pipes of varying diameters without requiring precision manufacturing for each specific size, as the gripping elements self-adjust to match the pipe dimensions.
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 apparatus provides a secure, damage-free grip on pipes of varying diameters and surfaces, ensuring effective plugging and connection while allowing for easy insertion and removal, with the ability to withstand significant forces without marking the pipe.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge cone mounted on the body; at least one discrete gripping device slidably engaged with the wedge cone
Implementation Method 2
using springs or other actuation methods for effective locking
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus provides a secure, damage-free grip on pipes of varying diameters and surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, having: a body of the gripping apparatus; a wedge cone mounted on the body; at least one discrete gripping device slidably engaged with the wedge cone; and an actuation-retraction mechanism configured to actuate the at least one discrete gripping device. The actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a collective actuation-retraction mechanism in an exemplary embodiment. In further disclosed alternative exemplary embodiments, the actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a plurality of individual actuation-retraction mechanisms.