Pipe Insert Sealing with Rounded Edge and Conical Fastener

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe inserts for lay-flat pipes face challenges in sealing effectively across varying pipe thicknesses and risk of leakage leading to potential damage from accumulated liquid pressure, especially in multi-layered pipes.

Innovation Solution

The insert design features a flange with a rounded sealing edge and a conical surface on the fastener, allowing secure sealing at different axial locations and fluid communication with the outside environment through keyways, reducing the risk of leakage and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flange with a raised edge is used for sealing, then sealing contact with the pipe is facilitated, but the risk of tear or rupture of the pipe at the sealing area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidpipe tear or rupture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing edge of the flange is formed with a rounded contour instead of a sharp raised edge. This curved geometry distributes the clamping force more evenly across the sealing area, preventing concentration of stress that could cause pipe rupture while maintaining effective sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conical surface is used on the fastener, then the insert can be mounted on pipes having different thicknesses, but the sealing surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different pipe thicknessesVSAvoidsealing surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conical surface introduces a dimensional variation along the axial direction, allowing the sealing interface to engage at different positions along the cone's slope. This enables adaptation to varying pipe thicknesses while the rounded sealing edge compensates for the reduced surface area by optimizing pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the sealing area is clamped between the sealing portions, then leakage is prevented, but liquid accumulation and pressure buildup occur in multi-layered pipes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidliquid pressure accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Keyways are provided in the internal unit that extend radially outward to communicate the chamber formed by the sealing portions with the outside environment. This extraction of the sealed space opens a pressure relief pathway, allowing liquid to escape and preventing dangerous pressure accumulation while maintaining the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7644735B2Pipe insert

Publication Date: 2010.01.12 NETAFIM LTD

AI summary

There is provided an insert to be sealingly mounted into a plug hole of a pipe having a sealing area surrounding the plug hole. The insert comprises an internal unit and a fastener. The internal unit and the fastener have corresponding cooperating sealing portions and mounting portions. The sealing portion of the internal unit is formed with a flange adapted to be forced into the plug hole. The flange and the sealing portion of the fastener have corresponding sealing surfaces. These surfaces are adapted to sealingly clamp therebetween the sealing area of the pipe, when the insert is mounted into the plug hole. One of the sealing surfaces being in the form of a sealing edge and the other being in the form of a conical surface. When the fastener is mounted onto the internal unit, the sealing portions of the internal unit and the fastener form therebetween a chamber. The chamber is in fluid communication with the outside environment, allowing atmospheric pressure within the chamber.