Hollow Pipe Packing Structure for Self-Pressurized Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe packing designs fail to maintain watertightness over time as fluid leakage increases, leading to complete loss of sealing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pipe packing method involving a hollow body shape with a fluid-receiving part at opposite ends, where molten rubber is injected into a mold assembly to form an outer and inner circumferential part with a gap, allowing fluid to enter and increasing pressure to maintain watertightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packing designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the watertightness deteriorates over time as fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packing is divided into multiple functional regions: an outer circumferential part for structural support, opposite surfaces for sealing contact, inner circumferential parts with gaps for fluid reception, and a fluid-receiving part. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function, improving overall watertightness while maintaining manufacturability through injection molding
Solution Approach 2:
The inner circumferential parts are nested within the hollow body structure, with gaps positioned to receive leaked fluid. The fluid-receiving part is nested within the overall packing structure, creating a hierarchical arrangement that captures fluid at multiple levels, thereby enhancing sealing reliability
2Reliability
If the packing structure is simplified for easy manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to maintain sealing function over time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The packing structure serves itself by using the leaked fluid to pressurize the fluid-receiving part, which then enhances the sealing function. The gaps in the inner circumferential parts automatically receive and contain the leaked fluid, converting it into a useful function without requiring external intervention or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fluid changes from a harmful leakage to a useful pressurizing medium. By changing the role of the leaked fluid from waste to functional element, the packing maintains sealing effectiveness over time while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through injection molding
3Reliability
If fluid leakage is allowed to occur, then initial leaks can be captured, but continuous leakage increases and completes loses sealing function
Solution Approach 1:
The leaked fluid, which would normally represent a failure of sealing, is instead captured by the gaps in the inner circumferential parts and used to pressurize the fluid-receiving part. This pressure enhancement causes the packing to tighten against the pipe, converting the harmful leakage into a beneficial self-tightening mechanism that restores and maintains sealing function
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 fluid-receiving part effectively captures initial leaks, preventing continuous leakage and enhancing the packing's watertightness by increasing pressure, thus maintaining sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
manufacturing a pipe packing by injecting molten rubber into a mold assembly having an outer mold and an inner mold
Implementation Method 2
a fluid-receiving part, which is a space receiving fluid, is formed between the curved part and the inner surface of the body
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive concept relates to a method of manufacturing a pipe packing inserted into a housing having a hollow body shape to prevent fluid flowing inside a pipe from leaking to the outside, the method including: manufacturing the pipe packing by injecting molten rubber into a mold assembly having an outer mold and an inner mold, wherein the pipe packing is configured as a hollow body and comprises an outer circumferential part located outside of the pipe relative thereto, opposite surfaces provided in directions toward a middle of the pipe packing at opposite ends of the outer circumferential part, and an inner circumferential part provided toward a center portion of the opposite surfaces therefrom, wherein the inner circumferential part has a gap provided therein to be divided into opposite inner circumferential parts.