Pipe Insulation Compression with Movable Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression and packing processes for pipe insulation result in non-uniform shapes and sizes, leading to damage and inefficiencies in shipping and storage due to the use of vacuum packaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for compressing and packaging pipe insulation using a compression device with movable walls and external longitudinal slits, allowing for uniform compression and packaging without vacuum techniques, which includes a compression member, a stacking bay with adjustable opposing walls, and a packing member to apply force for efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If vacuum packaging techniques are used to compress pipe insulation, then the insulation can be compressed into smaller volumes, but the insulation material suffers damage due to extreme vacuum forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum-based mechanical compression system with a direct mechanical compression system using a compression member that applies controlled force to compress insulation sections between the compression member and an anvil, eliminating the harmful vacuum forces while achieving the same volume reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression parameter from extreme vacuum pressure to controlled mechanical compression force, applying pressure progressively through a compression member that can be moved to apply force along a first axis, thereby compressing the insulation without causing material damage
2Volume of moving object
If vacuum packaging is used to compress insulation sections, then compression is achieved, but the resulting packages are non-uniform in shape and size making loading inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing individual insulation sections into uniform shapes before stacking and packaging them together. The compression member compresses each section to a consistent dimension along the first axis, ensuring uniformity throughout the final package that facilitates efficient loading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves homogeneity by compressing all insulation sections to uniform dimensions using the same compression force and geometry. The compression member and anvil create consistent compression across all sections, resulting in homogeneous packages with uniform shape and size that can be efficiently stacked and loaded
3Device complexity
If insulation sections are compressed without movable walls, then device structure is simpler, but the device cannot accommodate increasing size of insulation during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the second wall movable relative to the first wall along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. This dynamic adjustment allows the device to accommodate the changing dimensions of insulation sections during compression, with the wall movement being driven by the compression process itself
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 achieves uniform and damage-reduced packaging of pipe insulation, improving loading efficiency and minimizing air space, resulting in consistent and efficient sizes and shapes for shipment and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a compression member that may be movable along a first axis to compress a plurality of pieces of pipe insulation
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the two opposing walls may be movable relative to the other of the two opposing walls along a second axis to adjust a lateral distance between the two opposing walls to accommodate an increasing size of the plurality of pieces of pipe insulation along the second axis
Implementation Method 3
a packing member that may be configured to apply a force along a third axis to the plurality of pieces of pipe insulation after being compressed
Implementation Method 4
the at least one of the two opposing walls may be spring biased toward the other of the two opposing walls with a spring force that allows the lateral distance to increase as compressed insulation expands along the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A system for compressing and packing pipe insulation includes a compression member that is movable along a first axis to compress pieces of pipe insulation. A stacking bay includes opposing walls that are spaced apart from one another. At least one of the two opposing walls is movable relative to the other of the two opposing walls along a second axis to adjust a lateral distance between the opposing walls to accommodate an increasing size of the pieces of pipe insulation along the second axis. The first axis is generally orthogonal to the second axis. A packing member that applies a force along a third axis to the pieces of pipe insulation after being compressed. The third axis is generally orthogonal to the first and second axes. The first axis is generally orthogonal to the second axis. The compression member is aligned with a space formed between the opposing walls.