Pipeline Coupling Body With Annular Conduit for Side-Removable Valves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial plants with closely arranged pipelines, standard pipeline valves are difficult to access and remove for maintenance due to the proximity of adjacent pipelines, and existing coupling systems do not efficiently facilitate heating or cooling of valves while allowing for easy removal.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline coupling body with an internal annular conduit and radially oriented ducts allows for direct flow of heating or cooling fluid between coupling bodies, enabling sideways removal of standard valve housings without obstruction from adjacent conduits, using a stainless steel or 3-D printed construction with temperature sensors and venting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a non-standard valve housing with internal conduits is used for indirect cooling/heating, then the valve can be cooled or heated, but the valve housing cannot be easily removed sideways for maintenance due to conduit obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling/heating system is segmented into separate components: external cooling channels in the coupling body rather than internal conduits in the valve housing. This allows the valve housing to be removed independently without disturbing the cooling system, as the cooling fluid flows through the coupling body and dedicated conduit outside the valve housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling/heating conduits are extracted from the valve housing and relocated to the coupling body. The valve housing is taken out of the cooling system entirely, allowing it to be removed for maintenance without being constrained by cooling system geometry, while the coupling body retains full cooling functionality through its internal annular conduit and radial ducts.
2Ease of operation
If coupling bodies with internal annular conduits and radial ducts are used for direct cooling/heating fluid flow, then easy sideways removal of valve housings is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both a mechanical connector for the pipeline and a cooling/heating exchanger. The integration of the annular conduit and radial ducts into the coupling body structure allows it to perform dual functions without requiring separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving ease of valve removal and thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection function and thermal exchange function are merged into a single coupling body component. The coupling body incorporates both the structural elements for connecting pipeline sections and the cooling channels (annular conduit with radial ducts), eliminating the need for separate cooling system components and reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
3Ease of operation
If standard valve housings are used without internal conduits, then the valve housing can be easily removed sideways, but direct cooling/heating fluid flow between coupling bodies is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body acts as an intermediary that enables direct thermal contact between cooling/heating fluid and the valve housing. By incorporating the annular conduit and radial ducts in the coupling body, the system achieves efficient heat transfer through the metal-to-metal contact at the coupling body-valve housing interface, while the valve housing itself remains simple and removable without internal conduits.
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
Enables easy maintenance of pipeline valves by allowing sideways removal of valve housings while maintaining efficient heating or cooling through metal-to-metal heat exchange, ensuring operational integrity and flexibility in pipeline architecture.
Implementation Method 1
which fluid cools or heats the coupling bodies which then heat exchange with the valve housing by metal-to-metal heat conduction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling body (10) for connecting an end (9) of a pipeline section (8) to a side (3) of a valve housing (2), the coupling body (10) having a front side (14) and an opposite rear side (12), a central flow passage (20) opening up to the outside of the coupling body (10) at said front side (14) and at said rear side (12), said central flow passage (20) defining a central axis (A1) of the coupling body (10), said rear side (12) configured to be oriented towards a side (3) of a valve housing (2) when the coupling body (10) is connected to the valve housing (2), to allow for a fluid to flow between said central flow passage (20) and the inside of said valve housing (2), a connection portion (16) at said front side (14) configured for connection with an end (9) of a pipeline section (8), to allow for said fluid to flow between said pipeline section (8) and said central flow pas-sage (20), and at least four through-going apertures (11, 11') opening up at said rear side (12), each configured for receiving a respective bolt (6) for connecting the coupling body (10) to the valve housing (2), an internal annular conduit (30) extending around said central flow passage (20) and defining an internal flow passage separate from said central flow passage (20). The coupling body (10) further includes at least three ducts (40, 41, 42, 43), each communicating with said annular conduit (30) and extending in a respective radial direction (A3) relative to said central axis (A1) to the outside of the coupling body (10), at least two of said ducts (40, 41, 42, 43) being configured for connection to an end of a respective pipe (90, 91) for outside supply or discharge of a fluid to/from said annular conduit (30).