Pipe Joint Swivel Member for Multi-Plane Angular Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe joint arrangements for process washing in industrial settings, such as pulp or paper mills, are inflexible and require extensive equipment and maintenance, making it costly and inconvenient to implement elongated pipelines that need to rotate and move in multiple directions for effective washing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint arrangement featuring a swivel member with a cylindrical or spherical swiveling face and integral locking/pivoting axles allows for angular deflections in one or multiple planes, enabling easy installation and movement of pipelines, reducing the need for multiple wash pipes and drive units, and simplifying maintenance by integrating multi-directional capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed elbow pieces are used in process pipelines, then the pipeline structure is stable and simple, but the pipeline cannot be moved or repositioned without shutdown and disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed elbow pieces with articulated joints that allow the pipeline to change its configuration dynamically. The articulated joint includes a first element, a second element, and a swivel member that enables relative rotation between elements, allowing the pipeline to adapt its shape and position without requiring shutdown or disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spaced-apart wash pipes with drive units are mounted on various surfaces, then process washing can proceed in several longitudinal directions, but the equipment complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single wash pipe with multi-directional capability through articulated joints. Instead of requiring multiple separate wash pipes mounted on different surfaces, one articulated wash pipe can rotate and orient itself to perform washing in several longitudinal directions, thereby reducing the total number of drive units and simplifying the overall equipment configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If articulated joints with one-piece spherical swivel members and locking/pivoting axles are used, then angular deflections in multiple planes are enabled, but the manufacturing complexity and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the articulated joint into separate modular components: a first element, a second element, and a swivel member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standardized features, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to a fully integrated one-piece construction, while still enabling angular deflections in multiple planes through the articulated connection.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe joint arrangement, which is intended for enabling one or more angular deflections successive in a longitudinal direction (s) along an elongated pipeline (L) in one or more planes. The pipe joint arrangement comprises a joining piece (1), connectible with pipeline sections to be coupled with each other successively in the longitudinal direction (s) and consisting of frame elements (1a, 1b) locked to each other in a longitudinal direction (s1) and having provided therebetween a swivel member (2) with a substantially cylindrical or spherical swivel ing face for enabling movement of the frame elements (1a, 1b) by rotating (w) the same relative to each other with respect to one or more axes of rotation.