Pipe Sealing Device with Compressible Gasket for Drain Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing shower drain waterproofness and replacing drain pipes are inefficient, requiring manual intervention in deep water, external inflation tools, and often necessitating multiple personnel for proper seating, which are time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A pipe sealing device comprising a bar with screw threads, a compressible gasket sandwiched between adaptors, and a sleeve that compresses the gasket to create a watertight seal, allowing for easy measurement and removal without external tools or additional personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an inflatable ball connected to an access chain is used to plug the drain, then the drain can be sealed for flood testing, but the user must put his hand in standing water to access the chain and the design requires an external pump for inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for external inflation equipment by integrating a self-inflating mechanism directly into the sealing device. The self-inflating bulb automatically expands when inserted into the drain pipe, eliminating the requirement for external pumps and reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device performs self-inflation through a self-inflating bulb that automatically expands upon insertion into the drain pipe. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention to inflate the seal and removes the requirement for external pumping equipment, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If the water level is high during flood testing, then the test can detect leaks effectively, but the user must put his hand in standing water to access the chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the access chain component that required manual retrieval from standing water. Instead, the sealing device incorporates a retrieval mechanism that allows the entire device to be pulled out from above the water line, eliminating the need for users to reach into contaminated water and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable leak detection through high water level testing.
3Manufacturing precision
If current methods are used to seat the drain pipe, then proper seating can be achieved, but it requires pushing up from a crawl space or removing ceiling portions which is time-consuming and requires more than one person
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device serves multiple functions: it creates a waterproof seal for leak detection and simultaneously provides mechanical support to hold and position the drain pipe during installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate seating operations that required additional personnel and time, thereby improving productivity while maintaining proper pipe seating precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function and the drain pipe support function into a single integrated device. The sealing mechanism and support structure work together as one unit, allowing a single operator to both seal the pipe for testing and properly seat the drain pipe during installation, thus improving productivity without compromising manufacturing precision.
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
Enables precise water level measurement during testing and efficient drain pipe seating without manual immersion or additional tools, reducing time and labor while ensuring accurate leak detection and proper installation.
Implementation Method 1
advancement of the coupling over the bar external threads translates the sleeve towards the bar second end, which compresses the gasket between the first and second adaptors
Implementation Method 2
a compressible gasket sandwiched between a first adaptor and a second adaptor
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an apparatus for releasably sealing a pipe. Particularly, the apparatus comprises a bar that includes an interior, an exterior, a first end that includes external threads, and a second end that includes a stop. The device further comprises a sleeve positioned over a portion of the bar, and a coupling comprising internal threads that couple to the bar external threads. The device includes a compressible gasket sandwiched between first and second adaptors. Advancement of the coupling over the bar external threads increases pressure on the sleeve, which compresses the gasket between the first and second adaptors.