Pressure-Actuated Pipe Stopper Assembly for Leak-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe stoppers require significant manual force to operate and often result in inconsistent sealing, leading to fluid leaks due to user error and difficulty in properly engaging with the pipeline.
Innovation Solution
A pipe stopper assembly featuring an expandable stopper body and pressure assembly that can be configured between expanded and contracted states, allowing for easy operation and reliable sealing by utilizing a valve stem and actuation device to bias the stopper body between open and closed configurations, ensuring consistent fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation of the pipe stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to significant force required and user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using fluid pressure to automatically expand the stopper body and engage sealing elements. The system uses a hydraulic cylinder or pressure-activated mechanism that converts fluid pressure into mechanical force, eliminating the need for manual force application while ensuring consistent sealing engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper mechanism is designed to automatically engage and seal when installed in the pipeline. The expansion and sealing actions occur self-actuatingly through the pipeline's own fluid pressure or gravitational force, without requiring manual operation for each sealing action.
2Device complexity
If manual operation of the pipe stopper is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent sealing and user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the sealing engagement status and fluid pressure. Sensors detect whether the stopper is properly sealed and provide feedback to control systems, ensuring reliable sealing by detecting and correcting improper engagement before allowing fluid flow to resume.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic pressure systems provide consistent and controllable force for sealing engagement, eliminating the variability introduced by manual operation. The hydraulic system ensures uniform pressure distribution across sealing surfaces, guaranteeing reliable sealing every time the stopper is activated.
3Ease of operation
If the stopper body is made expandable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional pressure assembly components
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper body transitions from a static structure to a dynamic, expandable structure that changes shape during operation. The expandable design allows the stopper to be inserted in a compact state and then expand within the pipeline to engage sealing elements, making installation easier while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable stopper body employs a nested structure where sealing elements and support components are collapsed or retracted within the main body during insertion. Once positioned, these elements expand outward to perform their sealing function, reducing insertion complexity while maintaining effective sealing capability.
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
The solution provides a mechanism for efficient and reliable fluid flow control, reducing manual effort and user error, while ensuring a tight seal to prevent leaks, thus enhancing pipeline maintenance and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the upper portion of the housing cavity can be selectively in fluid communication with pressure greater than or equal to the pressure in the lower portion of the housing cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe stopper assembly includes a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the open configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fitting channel.