Pipe Thread Protector With Tapered Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thread protectors for pipes are prone to loosening or falling off during transportation, especially under extreme weather conditions, due to temperature fluctuations causing changes in diameter, which leads to disengagement from pipe threads and increased susceptibility to damage from vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A thread protector with an inner tapered groove that frictionally engages with the pipe end, requiring additional rotational force for installation and removal, and featuring a sloped wall with ridges to securely wedges the protector in place, preventing unintentional loosening and providing structural support against impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional thread protector is used, then the pipe threads are protected from damage during storage and transport, but the protector loosens or falls off due to vibrations and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered groove is pre-formed in the protector body before installation. When the protector is installed on the pipe, the groove automatically engages with the pipe surface and creates frictional resistance to rotational motion, preventing loosening during transport without requiring additional installation steps
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered groove has a curved, inclined surface that contacts the pipe at an angle. This curved geometry creates a wedging effect that increases frictional engagement and resistance to rotational loosening compared to a flat or straight contact surface
2Ease of operation
If the protector is designed to be easily installed, then installation is simple, but the protector can be unintentionally loosened during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-loosening tapered groove structure is built into the protector during manufacturing. This preliminary design feature ensures that once the protector is installed, it automatically resists rotational loosening forces without requiring the user to perform additional actions or adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered groove structure is self-activating upon installation. As the protector is threaded onto the pipe, the groove automatically engages with the pipe surface and generates frictional force that opposes rotational motion, providing self-restraining functionality without external intervention
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 tapered groove design enhances the break-out force required for removal, maintains thread engagement during temperature changes, and reduces the likelihood of the protector disengaging, thereby preventing pipe thread exposure and damage from vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The sloped wall of the annular ring frictionally engages the inner wall of the pipe when the threaded pipe end of the pipe and the thread protector are threadedly engaged, thereby resisting rotational motion of the thread protector relative to the threaded pipe end of the pipe
Implementation Method 2
The sloped wall of the annular ring and the threaded inner annular wall of the hollow cylindrical body define a tapered groove that wedges the protector in place
Data Source
AI summary
A thread protector comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a substantially closed end and a threaded inner annular wall extending from the substantially closed end. An annular ring extends inwardly from the substantially closed end. The annular ring has a sloped wall which is spaced-apart from and faces the threaded inner annular wall.