Pipe Joint Disassembly Tool Using Expandable Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disassembling pipe joints with press-fit engagements is difficult due to the radial compression of pipe fittings, which also requires swaging for reuse, posing challenges in both disassembly and reconditioning.
Innovation Solution
A disassembly apparatus featuring a shaft with a threaded portion and a radially expandable sleeve that slides along a tapered distal end to form an interference fit, allowing for the separation of the pipe from the fitting and subsequent swaging of the fitting for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a pressing tool is used to radially compress the pipe fitting to form a press-fit engagement, then the joint strength and sealing are improved, but the disassembly difficulty increases and the pipe fitting requires additional swaging for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The disassembly tool segments the pipe fitting by introducing a radial crack through a cutter wheel, dividing the intact fitting into separable sections. This allows the pipe to be removed without applying excessive force to the press-fit joint, resolving the contradiction between strong initial bonding and easy disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter wheel extracts material from the pipe fitting by removing a radial section, creating a gap that releases the press-fit engagement. This material removal enables disassembly of the strong press-fit joint without requiring forceful extraction methods
2Reliability
If the pipe fitting is radially compressed to form the pipe joint, then the press-fit engagement is achieved, but the pipe fitting cannot be directly reused without swaging
Solution Approach 1:
The tool enables selective removal of a portion of the pipe fitting (discarding) while preserving the main body for reuse (recovering). The radial crack allows separation of the damaged section from the reusable portion, reducing reconditioning requirements compared to complete swaging
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying radial compression to create the joint (assembly), the tool applies radial tension through the cutter wheel to break and separate the fitting (disassembly). This inverse approach to the original forming process enables reuse without repeating the full swaging cycle
3Ease of operation
If excessive force is applied to disassemble the press-fit joint, then the pipe can be removed, but the pipe fitting may be damaged beyond reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter wheel extracts a small radial section of the pipe fitting, creating a controlled gap that releases the press-fit engagement. This localized material removal provides disassembly capability while preserving the majority of the fitting for reuse, avoiding damage from excessive force
Solution Approach 2:
The disassembly action is concentrated in a localized radial section rather than applying force throughout the entire fitting. This localized intervention provides sufficient release of the press-fit joint while minimizing damage to the reusable portions of the fitting
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 the efficient disassembly of pipe joints by creating an interference fit to release the pipe and allows for the swaging of the pipe fitting for reuse, addressing the challenges of press-fit engagement and reconditioning.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve radially expands as the sleeve slides in the distal direction along the tapered distal end of the shaft. The sleeve has an interference fit with the pipe when expanded.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for disassembling a pipe joint is provided. A radially expandable sleeve positioned on a shaft is inserted into a distal open end of a pipe of the pipe joint. A sleeve nut on a threaded portion of the shaft is tightened against the sleeve to urge the sleeve to longitudinally slide along a tapered distal end of the shaft in a distal direction. The sleeve radially expands as the sleeve slides in the distal direction along the tapered distal end of the shaft. The sleeve is radially expanded until an interference fit is formed between the sleeve and the pipe. A force is then exerted upon the shaft to urge the shaft in a proximal direction and remove the pipe from a pipe fitting of the pipe joint.