Pipeline Adjusting Rings With Spherical Faces for Offset Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for joining pipelines often require complex reworking or adjusting operations to compensate for spatial offsets caused by welding distortion or manufacturing tolerances, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using adjusting rings with spherical abutment faces at the ends of the pipelines, allowing for angular and longitudinal adjustments without the need for additional processing or machine tools. These adjusting rings can be configured integrally with the pipelines or as separate components connected via threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional reworking operations are performed on site to compensate for spatial offsets, then alignment of pipelines can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting rings are pre-formed with spherical abutment faces during manufacturing, allowing alignment adjustments to be made simply by rotating the rings rather than requiring complex on-site machining operations. This preliminary preparation of adjustment capabilities eliminates the need for complex reworking equipment at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting rings feature spherical abutment faces that enable angular adjustments through simple rotation. The spherical geometry allows for precise angular positioning in multiple directions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying the alignment operation while maintaining high precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjusting weld seams are used to compensate for offsets, then pipeline alignment can be achieved, but thermally induced distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces thermal welding processes with mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The adjusting rings with spherical abutment faces allow for mechanical alignment adjustments through rotation, eliminating the need for hot work and the associated thermal distortion that would affect both the pipeline and surrounding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting rings serve as intermediary components between the pipeline flanges, providing a mechanical means to absorb and compensate for misalignments. This intermediary mechanism allows alignment adjustments without directly heating or distorting the pipeline structure itself.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex adjusting operations are performed on site, then spatial offsets can be compensated, but time delays and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting rings are manufactured with pre-formed spherical abutment faces and appropriate geometries before delivery to the site. This preliminary preparation of adjustment capabilities transforms complex on-site operations into simple rotational adjustments, dramatically reducing the time required for alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting rings provide dynamic adjustment capabilities through rotation, allowing for quick and flexible compensation of misalignments in multiple directions. This dynamic mechanism enables rapid adaptation to various offset conditions without requiring time-consuming manual machining or welding operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for aligning a first pipeline with a second pipeline, wherein: the first pipeline has a first-pipeline end having a first adjusting ring which has a cut-out extending along an axis, around which cut-out a ring material extends in a circumferential direction; the second pipeline has a second-pipeline end having a second adjusting ring which has a cut-out extending along an axis, around which cut-out a ring material extends in a circumferential direction; the first adjusting ring has a first abutment face; the second adjusting ring has a second abutment face; the first abutment face of the first adjusting ring contactingly faces the second abutment face of the second adjusting ring; the first abutment face forms a surface of a spherical washer; and the second abutment face forms a surface of the spherical washer which is complementary to the surface of the first abutment face.