Universal Pipe Sleeve Junction for Glue-Free Smoke Sampling Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aspirated smoke detection systems face delays and increased costs due to the use of glue for pipe connections and the need for additional parts like line end caps, which slow down installation and commissioning processes.
Innovation Solution
A universal pipe sleeve junction that allows for the connection of pipes without glue, incorporating a sleeve body and nozzle design with flanges for interference fits, enabling the joining of pipes, inclusion of sampling points, and reception of line end caps, thereby reducing the need for additional parts and speeding up installation and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glue is used for pipe connections, then the connection strength is improved, but the installation time and commissioning time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (glue) with a mechanical connection system. The pipe sleeve junction uses a mechanical interface with the pipe, where the pipe is received within the sleeve body and secured through mechanical means rather than chemical adhesion. This substitution eliminates the waiting time required for glue to set and dry, significantly reducing installation and commissioning time while maintaining connection strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional parts like line end caps are used, then the system functionality is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe sleeve junction is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it connects pipes mechanically, provides sampling points for smoke detection, and eliminates the need for separate line end caps. The sleeve body can be configured with different end arrangements (open or closed) to serve various system requirements, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple specialized parts into a single multi-functional component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of pipe connection, sampling point provision, and line termination into a single integrated pipe sleeve junction component. By combining these previously separate functions into one component, the total number of parts is reduced, and the complexity of assembly is minimized while maintaining full system functionality.
3Reliability
If sampling points are drilled into pipes, then the smoke detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling points are pre-formed as integral features of the pipe sleeve junction during manufacturing, rather than requiring field drilling operations. The sleeve body is manufactured with built-in sampling point openings that align with the pipe, eliminating the need for separate drilling operations during installation. This preliminary action removes safety risks associated with drilling and simplifies the manufacturing process.
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 solution facilitates safer, faster, and more cost-effective installation and commissioning of aspirated smoke detection systems by eliminating the need for drilling sampling points and reducing the number of required parts, thus lowering operational time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The flanges can create an interference fit between the pipe sleeve junction and the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for a universal pipe sleeve junction for an aspirated smoke detection system are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an opening through the sleeve body, wherein the sleeve body further includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a nozzle having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the nozzle defining an opening through the nozzle and extending through to the inner surface of the sleeve body, where the nozzle opening is configured to couple with a pipe sleeve attachment mechanism.