Pipe Interior Sealing Assembly for Aligned Weld Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange weld testing tools face challenges in maintaining consistent sealing and alignment due to loose coupling of components, leading to inconsistent sealing and undue stress on the sealing member, making it difficult to position and secure the tool effectively within a pipe.
Innovation Solution
The assembly includes an end plate with a flat portion and a flange member, an annular ring with a beveled edge and slot, and a resilient sealing member seated in a notch defined by these components, which is compressed radially outwardly to engage the pipe's inner wall when the assembly is tightened, ensuring proper alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components are loosely coupled for easy insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates causing sealing member misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is pre-configured with the resilient sealing member positioned between the end plate and annular ring before insertion. The flat portion and beveled edge are pre-positioned to guide the sealing member into correct alignment with the pipe inner wall, eliminating the need for post-insertion adjustment while maintaining ease of insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat portion on the end plate and beveled edge on the annular ring act as intermediary guiding features. These features interface with the resilient sealing member to maintain precise alignment during insertion and operation, serving as a mechanical guide that prevents misalignment while allowing easy assembly.
2Reliability
If sealing member is compressed to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but stress on sealing member increases causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient sealing member is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional geometry, being thicker at the ends and thinner in the middle section. This local quality variation allows the thicker ends to withstand compressive forces and alignment stresses, while the thinner middle section provides flexibility for sealing engagement with the pipe inner wall, distributing stress more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the resilient sealing member are varied along its length to optimize the balance between sealing effectiveness and stress resistance. By changing the geometric parameters (thickness distribution) of the sealing member, the design achieves reliable sealing through controlled compression while preventing excessive stress concentration that would cause deformation or failure.
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
This configuration ensures consistent and reliable sealing of the pipe's inner wall, preventing misalignment and stress on the sealing member, facilitating easier and more efficient deployment and testing of flange welds without the need for extensive torque or sequencing.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient sealing member provided in the notch and seated on the flange member of the end plate prior to the assembly engaging the inner wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for engaging inner wall of a pipe. The assembly includes end plate and annular ring coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of assembly, when in use. One of the end plate or annular ring includes flat portion and a flange member extending from a surface thereof and other one of the end plate or annular ring includes a beveled edge and a slot to receive flange member. A notch is defined by the flat portion, flange member and the beveled edge and a sealing member is positioned inside notch and seated on the flange member prior to assembly engaging the inner wall of pipe. An urging mechanism urges annular ring against end plate and causes flange member to be received in slot and resilient sealing member to be compressed within notch and deform radially outwardly to engage with inner wall of pipe.