Pipe ID Gripping with Wedge-Actuated Rollers to Prevent Surface Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping systems for pipes in refineries, petro-chemical plants, and power plants face challenges in securely connecting and disconnecting without damaging the pipe surface, as they often rely on point contact which can cause stress and marking.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus with a body, a wedge cone, and discrete gripping devices that are individually or collectively actuated, featuring a mechanism to securely engage the pipe's inner diameter without marking, using balls, disks, or rollers that distribute force evenly and can be easily retracted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If point contact gripping is used, then gripping force is concentrated and easy to achieve, but pipe surface is damaged with stress and marking
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping system is divided into multiple discrete gripping devices (balls, disks, or rollers) distributed around the pipe circumference. Each gripping device applies force at a separate location, segmenting the concentrated point contact into multiple distributed contact points. This segmentation allows the gripping force to be distributed evenly across the pipe inner diameter, preventing stress concentration and surface marking while maintaining effective gripping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping devices are designed with specific local properties - spherical balls, circular disks, or cylindrical rollers - that match the curved surface of the pipe. This local quality adaptation ensures optimal contact geometry at each gripping point, distributing the gripping force through the curvature of the pipe surface rather than creating sharp point contacts. The discrete gripping devices conform to the pipe's inner diameter, providing localized force distribution that prevents surface damage.
2Reliability
If multiple discrete gripping devices are used, then force distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete gripping devices are merged into a single integrated gripping apparatus that can be inserted as one unit through the pipe. The gripping devices (balls, disks, or rollers) are arranged in a circumferential pattern and connected through a common structure, allowing them to function collectively while maintaining individual force distribution. This merging approach provides reliable gripping through multiple contact points while avoiding the complexity of separate gripping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping apparatus is designed with universal functionality to handle various pipe sizes and applications. The same basic structure with discrete gripping devices can be adapted to different pipe inner diameters by adjusting the number or arrangement of gripping elements. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using a standardized gripping mechanism that can serve multiple purposes rather than requiring specialized devices for each application.
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 connection and disconnection of pipes by evenly distributing force across the pipe's inner diameter, ensuring reliable operation and longevity of the pipe surfaces.
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 balls, disks, or rollers that distribute force evenly
Implementation Method 3
using balls, disks, or rollers that distribute force evenly
Data Source
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.