Piping Connector Ring with Plastic Shield for Corrosion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piping connection methods are prone to leaks, require expensive and cumbersome specialized tools, and can lead to galvanic corrosion, making them costly and difficult to implement, especially in tight spaces or areas requiring multiple connections.
Innovation Solution
A piping connection system featuring a ring with clamp closing portions that crimp around a piping shield to form a secure connection, minimizing the need for specialized tools and materials like stainless steel or copper, which reduces galvanic corrosion by using a plastic shield to prevent dissimilar metal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional crimping technologies are used to connect piping sections, then a mechanical connection is provided, but the connection is prone to leaks and requires expensive specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the dissimilar metals (e.g., copper pipe and stainless steel fitting). The shield prevents direct contact between the dissimilar metals, eliminating galvanic corrosion while allowing the crimping connection to proceed. This intermediary layer solves both the reliability issue (preventing corrosion-induced leaks) and maintains ease of operation (no specialized tools needed).
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into distinct segments: the pipe, the plastic shield, and the fitting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the plastic shield acts as a barrier between dissimilar metals, preventing galvanic corrosion while enabling a reliable mechanical connection without requiring specialized tools.
2Reliability
If welding is used to connect piping sections, then a secure mechanical connection is achieved, but the cost of piping insulation skyrockets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the thermal process of welding with a mechanical crimping system. Instead of using heat to join piping sections, a crimping tool applies mechanical force to deform the fitting onto the pipe, creating a secure connection without the need for expensive post-weld insulation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dissimilar metals are used in piping connections, then galvanic corrosion occurs, but conventional techniques require expensive materials like stainless steel or copper
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic shield serves as a mediator between dissimilar metals, preventing direct electrical contact that would cause galvanic corrosion. This allows the system to use cost-effective material combinations (such as aluminum fittings with copper pipe) while eliminating the harmful corrosion effect, thereby improving adaptability without introducing harmful factors.
4Ease of operation
If conventional crimping is performed without a shield, then installation is simpler, but inaccurate crimping allows fluids to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic shield acts as a mediator that guides the crimping process and ensures proper deformation of the fitting onto the pipe. It provides a defined interface that ensures accurate crimping while maintaining installation simplicity, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A piping connector is provided having a ring configured to install around an external diameter of a pipe, the ring having at least one clamp closing portion that has an open uncrimped position and a closed crimped position, a piping shield connected to the ring, the piping shield having at least one penetration to accept the at least one clamp closing portion, wherein the piping shield covers an abutment end of the pipe to be connected, wherein a joint between the ring and the piping shield forms a connection.