Pipeline Plug Locking Blades for Stronger Groove Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for locking plugs in pipeline fittings during maintenance have limited mechanical resistance due to suboptimal coupling between semicircular plates and annular grooves, requiring significant force and offering only partial resistance.
Innovation Solution
The device employs two sector-shaped locking blades with curvature matching the annular groove, actuated by a toothed pinion to ensure synchronized translation and optimal engagement, providing enhanced mechanical resistance and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If semicircular plates with arcuate edges are used to engage the annular groove, then the plug can be freely introduced and extracted from the access mouth, but the mechanical coupling is only partial and the overall resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blades are given a curved shape with arcuate edges that precisely match the curvature of the annular groove. This curvature matching ensures optimal contact and engagement between the locking blades and the groove, maximizing mechanical resistance while maintaining ease of operation. The curved geometry allows the blades to follow the groove's contour, creating a secure locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into two separate locking blades instead of using a single semicircular plate. This segmentation allows each blade to independently engage with the annular groove, distributing the mechanical load and increasing overall resistance. The segmented design also improves maneuverability by reducing the mass and moment of inertia of each individual blade.
2Device complexity
If locking blades with unfavorable lever arms are used, then the structure is simple, but a non-negligible force is required to swing the locking blades
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blades are designed to oscillate on fulcrums, providing dynamic movement capability. The blades can swing between locked and unlocked positions, and the dynamic design allows for easier operation by reducing the moment of inertia. The fulcrum placement and blade geometry are optimized to improve the lever arm ratio, reducing the force required to actuate the locking mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two opposing semicircular plates are used with cam mechanism, then the plug can be locked and unlocked, but the radius of curvature of the edges matches the access mouth rather than the groove, resulting in suboptimal coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blades are designed with different curvature radii for different portions of their structure. The arcuate edges that engage the annular groove have a curvature radius matching the groove, while other portions of the blades have different geometries to facilitate actuation and provide structural support. This local differentiation of geometric properties optimizes both engagement precision and operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) allows the locking of a plug (2) to a fitting (3) and comprises: two locking blades (10), having the outer edge (10B) in an arc of circumference, arranged symmetrically opposite and coplanar to a annular groove (31) of the plug (2), sliding parallel to the latter; actuation means (4) defined by a toothed pinion (13) with which two racks (120) provided in the locking blades (10) are engaged, determining for the same corresponding and synchronized translations in opposite directions, so that the arched edges (10B) are displaced outwards to engage said annular groove (31), locking the plug (2) to the fitting (3). The toothed pinion (13) has a hexagonal head (130) at the top which is engaged by an operating member (15).