Pipe Joint With Deformable Ring For Interference-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection joints for gas and fluid transportation suffer from interference during assembly, suboptimal sealing, and require cutting pipes for maintenance, limiting efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A joint design featuring an inner deformable ring with compressible seals and a grab ring, allowing free insertion and radial assembly/disassembly of aluminum pipes, ensuring perfect sealing without interference and enabling maintenance without cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring seal is used in the joint to ensure sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the pipe insertion becomes difficult due to interference from the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two functional zones: a first cavity for free pipe insertion without seal interference, and a second cavity containing the ring seal for sealing purposes. This segmentation allows the pipe to be inserted freely in the first cavity while the seal operates effectively in the second cavity, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with a passage acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second cavities. The passage allows the pipe to pass through to the sealing zone while the partition wall prevents the ring seal from interfering with insertion in the first cavity, mediating between the conflicting requirements of free insertion and effective sealing.
2Device complexity
If the joint is designed with fixed seals for initial pipe positioning, then the sealing structure is simplified, but the sealing performance deteriorates under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The ring seal is designed to be movable within the second cavity rather than fixed. Under pressure, the seal automatically moves and compresses against the pipe, adapting to pressure changes and maintaining optimal sealing contact. This dynamic behavior improves sealing performance under pressure while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional joints are used for pipe connections, then assembly is completed, but maintenance requires cutting the pipe which increases time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is segmented into removable components including the external housing, partition wall, and internal sealing assembly. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to disassemble the joint and access the pipe connection without cutting the pipe, enabling easy repair and replacement while maintaining proper assembly structure.
4Productivity
If the pipe is forced into the joint to overcome seal interference, then connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The joint cavity is segmented into a first insertion cavity and a second sealing cavity. This segmentation eliminates seal interference during the insertion phase in the first cavity, allowing quick and easy pipe insertion without forcing, while still achieving proper sealing in the second cavity, thereby improving both assembly speed and ease of operation.
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
Facilitates quick, efficient, and reliable connections with optimal sealing, allowing for direct in-field maintenance and assembly/disassembly of pipe sections without cutting, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an inner deformable ring (1), made, for example of plastic and suitably shaped, which includes a first front annular seat (101) which houses a first sealing element (2) and a second inner annular seat (201) which houses two further sealing elements (3, 4) positioned around the outer surface of a tubular element (T) inserted into the joint
Implementation Method 2
inner deformable ring (1), made, for example of plastic and suitably shaped
Implementation Method 3
a grab ring (6), made, for example of steel, having, for example, one or more sufficiently sharp inner edges (106) so as to be capable of partially penetrating, to a suitable depth, into the tubular element (T) inserted into the joint, thus preventing said tubular element from sliding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fluid connection joint to couple tubular pipes intended to convey gas, compressed air and other fluids. The fluid connection joint includes a deformable internal ring (1) having sealing surfaces internally to engage with an outer surface of a first tubular element (T) and frontally to engage with a second tubular element (10). The deformable internal ring (1) is located within a housing (7) that is coupled to a flange (110) of the second tubular element (10) by fixing screws (8). The tightening of the fixing screws (8) results in a substantially radial compression of the internal ring (1) and seals (2, 3, 4) around the first tubular element (T) and a second substantially axial compression of the frontal seal (2) against the flange (110).