Pipe Seal Assembly With Mechanical Interlock for Metal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil industry faces challenges with flanged joints used for connecting oil pipes, which are vulnerable to uneven bolt tightening, thermal degradation of rubber seals, require welding, and need skilled labor, leading to increased costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a mechanical interlock arrangement that creates a metal-to-metal seal between a connector body and a pipe without flanges or welding, using an adaptor and a connector body with a tapered bore to securely attach the pipe, allowing for quick and reliable connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flanged joints with rubber seals are used, then sealing function is achieved, but thermal degradation and mechanical damage occur leading to seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the rubber seal component from the connection system entirely, replacing it with a metal-to-metal sealing mechanism. This eliminates the source of thermal degradation and mechanical damage associated with rubber seals while maintaining the sealing function through direct metal contact between the pipe end and flange sealing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical rubber seal system with a direct metal-to-metal contact sealing system. The sealing function previously performed by the rubber seal is now achieved through the mechanical interface between the metal pipe end and the metal flange sealing surface, eliminating the need for elastomeric materials.
2Strength
If welding is used to connect pipes, then strong joint is achieved, but fire risk increases and qualified welders are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the welding process with a mechanical bolting system. The joint strength previously achieved through fusion welding is now obtained through the mechanical interlocking of flanges with bolts, eliminating the need for thermal processes and qualified welders while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the welding process from the pipe connection system, replacing it with a cold-joining mechanical bolting method. This eliminates the fire hazard associated with hot work while achieving equivalent joint strength through properly designed flanged connections.
3Strength
If flanged joints require welding and skilled labor, then connection strength is achieved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the complex welding process requiring skilled labor with a simpler mechanical bolting operation. The connection strength is maintained through properly engineered flange and bolt design, while installation time is reduced by eliminating the time-consuming welding steps and qualification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs standardised, off-the-shelf flanged components that can be quickly assembled and disassembled without requiring specialised skills. The connection system is designed for rapid installation and removal, reducing both time and labor cost while maintaining adequate connection strength for the application.
4Reliability
If rubber seals are used in flanged joints, then sealing is achieved, but thermal degradation causes seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the rubber seal component from the high-temperature service environment, replacing it with a metal-to-metal sealing interface. This eliminates the thermal degradation issue by using materials that can withstand the operating temperatures without deteriorating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite sealing approach where the metal pipe end and flange sealing surfaces work together to create a thermally stable seal. The combination of metal materials provides both the sealing function and the thermal resistance required for high-temperature oil industry applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly includes a connector body having an open end configured for receiving a free end of a pipe and an adaptor for securing at the free end of the pipe. The adaptor has a first ring, configured to be mounted around the circumference of the free end of a pipe, and a second ring configured to cooperate with the first ring in order to drive the first ring into engagement with an outer surface of the pipe. A mechanical interlock arrangement is configured for driving the adaptor in the direction of the connector body, when the adaptor is secured at the free end of the pipe. The mechanical interlock arrangement is further configured for preventing or limiting axial movement of the pipe relative to the connector body, when the adaptor is secured to the outer surface of the pipe and when the free end of the pipe is in sealing contact with a metal seal surface of the connector body.