Pipe Sealing Element With Clamping Ring for Corrugated Tube Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing elements for thermally insulated pipes fail to ensure fluid-tight insertion due to corrugated surfaces, ovality, and angular misalignment, leading to gaps and reduced thermal insulation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sealing element with a clamping element and a stabilizing ring section, where the stabilizing element is designed with a higher modulus of elasticity than the sealing body, and can be clipped or latched onto the sealing body, providing improved sealing and stability for pipes with corrugated surfaces and oval cross-sections, and allowing for eccentric insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sealing element is used for pipes with corrugated surfaces, then the pipe can be easily laid in bends, but gaps occur between the pipe and sealing element leading to foam escape and water penetration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of laying in bendsVSAvoidfluid tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element incorporates a clamping element that applies localized pressure to specific regions of the sealing section, creating enhanced sealing zones at critical points where the corrugated pipe surface contacts the sealing element, thereby preventing gaps while maintaining bendability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping element is designed to be contractible, allowing it to dynamically adjust and press the sealing section against the pipe outer surface during installation and operation, ensuring continuous contact and fluid tightness despite pipe deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If pipes are stored in rolled-up state, then transport and storage are simplified, but the pipes develop curvature and ovality making vertical insertion into casing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of storage and transportVSAvoidease of insertion into casing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed with adjustable geometric parameters including an opening angle that can be adapted to accommodate pipes with different curvatures and ovality degrees, allowing the sealing element to conform to pipes that have been stored in rolled-up state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element features an asymmetric design with the ability to accommodate eccentric insertion, where the pipe does not need to be perfectly centered or vertically aligned, thus accepting pipes with curvature from rolled-up storage positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing element must accommodate angular misalignment, then installation flexibility is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to gaps forming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of angular misalignmentVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows the sealing section to adapt to angular misalignments between the pipe and casing, maintaining pressing force and sealing contact even when the pipe is inserted at non-perpendicular angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is divided into functional sections including the sealing section and clamping element that can independently adjust to accommodate angular misalignment, with each segment contributing to maintaining the sealing interface integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures a high level of fluid tightness and thermal insulation by compensating for pipe irregularities, preventing foam escape and ground water penetration, and maintaining insulation integrity even with angular deviations.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping element (6) arranged on the first sealing section (2), which can be contracted in order to press a section of the first sealing section (2) against the pipe outer surface (22) of the pipe (18)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

on the second sealing section (3) a stabilizing element (5) is arranged, which allows a pressing of the second outer surface (16) of the second sealing section (3) on the inner surface of the envelope (23)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The interior can then be filled with thermal insulation foam, which restores the thermal insulation in this section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3244119B1Seal element
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3244119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3244119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3244119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing element (1) for the fluid-tight introduction of a tube (18) into a casing (23), which has a sealing body (1a) with an opening (4) and in which a first (2) and a second ( 3) sealing section are formed, wherein the first sealing section (2) is intended to seal towards the tube (18) and the second sealing section (3) is intended to seal towards the casing (23), which is characterized in that on a stabilizing element (5) is arranged on the second sealing section (3) and a clamping element (6) is arranged on the first sealing section (2).