Pipe Laying Deflector With Dynamic Rotating Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe laying deflectors often cause over-bending of pipes during installation, leading to stress concentration and potential damage due to uneven force distribution, which can shorten the service life of the pipes.
Innovation Solution
A deflector design with a guiding mechanism allowing rotating members to translate along a non-parallel axis, connected via pivotally mounted secondary and tertiary members, ensuring balanced force distribution and adaptation to the pipe's shape, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing fatigue properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed deflectors or simple rollers are used to guide the pipe, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force distribution becomes uneven causing over-bending and stress concentration on the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the fixed deflector structure into a dynamic system with multiple rotatable members (intermediate member with first rotation axis, secondary pivoting member with second rotation axis, and rotating members with their own rotation axes). This dynamic structure allows the deflector to adapt its configuration to distribute forces evenly along the pipe, preventing over-bending and stress concentration while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is segmented into multiple independent rotatable members (intermediate member, secondary pivoting member, and rotating members) that can move independently around different rotation axes. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to force distribution independently, ensuring balanced force application along the pipe length and preventing localized stress concentrations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the deflector structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture improves, but the ability to adapt to pipe shape and distribute forces evenly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic design with multiple rotatable members allows the deflector to adapt to different pipe shapes and laying conditions without requiring complex fixed structures. Each rotatable member can adjust its position independently, providing versatility in accommodating various pipe configurations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector employs a nested structure where rotating members are connected to the secondary pivoting member, which is in turn connected to the intermediate member. This nested arrangement of rotatable components allows the system to achieve complex adaptive movements through a series of simpler, nested mechanical elements, balancing adaptability with ease of manufacture.
3Productivity
If conventional deflectors are used, then productivity is maintained, but the service life of the pipe is shortened due to stress concentration and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic multi-rotatable member structure enables the deflector to maintain high productivity by smoothly guiding the pipe during laying operations while simultaneously extending pipe service life through even force distribution. The ability of each member to rotate independently prevents friction-related damage and over-bending, ensuring the pipe maintains its structural integrity throughout its operational life.
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 deflector effectively distributes forces evenly along the pipe, reducing stress concentrations and improving fatigue resistance, thereby ensuring the structural integrity and extending the service life of the pipes.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate member, pivotally mounted in the support around a first rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
at least a secondary pivoting member, pivotally connected to the intermediate member around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis
Implementation Method 3
the rotating member being rotatably mounted on the connecting member around a rotating member rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A deflector (38) including: a support (70); an intermediate member (72), pivotally mounted in the support (70) around a first rotation axis (B-B′); at least a secondary pivoting member (74), pivotally connected to the intermediate member (72) around a second rotation axis (C-C′) parallel to the first rotation axis (B-B′); for each secondary pivoting member (74), at least a pair of rotating members (76). Each rotating member (76) is connected to the secondary pivoting member (74). The deflector (38) including: a guiding mechanism, for guiding each rotating member (76) in translation with regard to the support (70) along a translation axis (D-D′) non parallel to the first rotation axis (B-B′); a connecting member (78), pivotally mounted to the secondary pivoting member (74). The rotating member (76) is rotatably mounted on the connecting member (78) around a rotating member rotation axis (E-E′).