Pipe Joint Flange Plateaus for Uniform Seal Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joint systems for fluid-carrying pipes experience non-uniform pressure distribution due to raised faces on flanges, leading to operational issues in systems like irrigation and plumbing.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of pipe flanges with multiple raised plateaus on their outer surfaces, which contact and align with corresponding plateaus on adjacent flanges, ensuring uniform pressure on the seal and allowing adjustable pressure by varying the height of these plateaus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a raised face is added to the pipe flange outer surface, then the seal contact area is improved, but non-uniform pressure distribution occurs around the circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The raised face is segmented into multiple raised plateaus (at least three) spaced circumferentially around the flange. Each plateau provides a localized seal contact region, and the segmentation allows for more uniform pressure distribution across the seal interface compared to a single continuous raised face.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple raised plateaus are positioned at specific circumferential locations to create localized high-contact areas. The plateaus are spaced to ensure adequate seal contact while maintaining uniform pressure distribution. The local quality of the seal interface is enhanced at plateau locations while avoiding the non-uniform pressure problems of a continuous raised face.
2Reliability
If fasteners are positioned radially outward from the raised face, then the seal is protected from fastener interference, but the pressure distribution on the seal becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The raised face is divided into discrete plateaus that are circumferentially spaced. This segmentation allows fasteners to be positioned radially outward from the plateaus without creating non-uniform pressure, because the gaps between plateaus provide natural pressure equalization zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised plateaus act as intermediaries between the fasteners and the seal. By positioning fasteners radially outward from the plateaus rather than directly over them, the plateaus mediate the pressure transmission, distributing the clamping force more uniformly across the seal interface while still providing adequate seal contact.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple raised plateaus are used instead of a single raised face, then uniform pressure distribution is achieved, but the flange structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The raised face is segmented into multiple plateaus, but each plateau is a simple raised portion of the flange face. The segmentation achieves uniform pressure distribution while maintaining relative structural simplicity, as the plateaus are formed as integral features of the flange rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The number, height, and circumferential spacing of the raised plateaus can be adjusted as parameters to optimize pressure distribution while controlling structural complexity. By varying these parameters, the design can achieve uniform pressure with a manageable number of plateaus, balancing performance and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly for joining two pipes together comprises first and second liners and first and second pipe flanges. Each liner includes a sleeve and a liner flange with the liner flange coupled to one end of the sleeve. The first liner may be positioned within a first pipe and the second liner may be positioned within a second pipe. Each pipe flange is of generally annular disc shape with an inner surface, an opposing outer surface, an inner edge, and a radially-spaced outer edge. Each pipe flange includes an annular outer recess formed on the outer surface adjacent to the inner edge. The first pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the first pipe and the second pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the second pipe. Each liner flange may be positioned within the outer recess of a successive one of the pipe flanges.