Pipe Testing Fixture Sealing Mechanism for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe testing fixtures often result in water damage and mold issues due to unsealed leaks during pipe repairs, leading to unnecessary insurance claims and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A pipe pressure testing fixture with a hollow parallelepiped housing, O-ring gasket, and sliding plate mechanism that securely engages a cylindrical pipe to prevent leaks, utilizing materials like PVC, ABS, or steel to ensure proper sealing and containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipe testing fixtures are used during pipe repairs, then pipe repair work can proceed, but water damage and mold issues occur due to unsealed leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The testing fixture is installed and sealed to the pipe section before repair work begins, creating a contained test environment. This preliminary action allows pressure testing to be performed on the repaired section while the fixture prevents any potential leaks from reaching surrounding areas, thus eliminating water damage and mold risks during the repair process
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe system is segmented into a test section and the rest of the system using the fixture's plate and housing structure. The fixture creates an isolated chamber that can be pressurized independently, allowing specific pipe sections to be tested for leaks without affecting or being affected by other parts of the piping system, ensuring that any leaks are contained and controlled
2Productivity
If pipe repairs are completed without proper leak testing, then repair work is finished quickly, but undetected leaks cause water damage and result in insurance claims
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture enables leak testing to be performed as a preliminary step immediately after pipe repair but before removing the fixture or restoring the area. This structured approach ensures that repairs are verified to be leak-free before completion, preventing future water damage and insurance claims while maintaining efficient workflow
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure testing mechanism provides immediate feedback on the integrity of pipe repairs. By pressurizing the test section and monitoring for pressure drops or visual leaks through the fixture's design, the system quickly identifies any sealing issues, allowing for immediate correction before the repair is finalized, thus ensuring reliability without significant time loss
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a secure sealing mechanism is implemented to prevent leaks, then water damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing and testing functions are extracted into a separate, removable fixture that can be installed and taken off as needed. The fixture's plate, housing, and gasket components form a self-contained sealing system that isolates the testing function from the permanent pipe structure, providing effective leak prevention without permanently complicating the pipe system
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture utilizes flexible gaskets and sealing elements (such as the gasket between the plate and housing, and sealing interfaces with the pipe) to create reliable seals. These flexible components conform to the pipe and fixture surfaces, ensuring watertight sealing through material flexibility rather than complex rigid sealing mechanisms, thus preventing water damage while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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
Effectively prevents water damage and mold by ensuring all leaks are sealed before completing pipe repairs, reducing insurance claims and saving time and money.
Implementation Method 1
An O-ring gasket centrally disposed within the top wall proximal the aperture in a position vertically aligned with the aperture
Implementation Method 2
A plate face gasket is continuously disposed on each of the front and rear sides of the plate
Implementation Method 3
A locking pin is engagable through the pin hole upon the positioning of the pin hole outside of the upper chamber. The engagement and alternate disengagement of the locking pin through the pin hole places the plate in an open locked position within the upper chamber
Implementation Method 4
The plate is configured to seal the lower chamber between the front portion and the rear portion of the pipe
Implementation Method 5
a hollow parallelepiped housing having a front wall, a back wall, a right wall, a left wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, an inner wall, and an outer wall
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe testing fixture including a housing with a chamber, an aperture centrally disposed on the housing. A groove centrally disposed within the lower chamber. A pipe fluidly engages the chamber through the housing. A pipe closure body with a handle slidingly engages the aperture and chamber with a plate disposed on the handle. The plate slidingly engages the chamber, the lower end sealingly engaging the groove, configured to seal the lower chamber of the pipe. A plate face gasket continuously disposed on the front and rear sides of the plate. A locking pin is engagable through a pin hole upon positioning the pin hole outside the upper chamber. The engagement and alternate disengagement of the locking pin through the pin hole places the plate in an open locked position and an alternate closed position within the chamber. A separate carrier pipe segment engages the pipe portions.