Plastic Pipe Compensator Structure for Misalignment Under Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compensators for connecting plastic pipelines are inadequate in accommodating axial offsets and angular deviations while maintaining internal pressure, as they are either too stiff or have reduced compressive strength when designed for flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical compensator with a flexible area composed of multiple flexible elements connected by alternating connecting elements, made from the same plastic material as the pipeline ends, featuring varying diameters and wall thicknesses to achieve flexibility and compressive strength, allowing for axial and angular adjustments without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a corrugated bellows design is used with constant wall thickness, then the compensator can withstand internal pressure, but it becomes very rigid and cannot accommodate misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible area is divided into multiple flexible elements (first, second, third flexible elements) with varying wall thicknesses. Each flexible element has a different radial wall thickness, creating zones of different flexibility. This segmentation allows the compensator to accommodate misalignment while maintaining pressure resistance in specific zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the compensator are assigned different wall thicknesses to achieve different local properties. The first flexible element has a greater radial wall thickness for pressure resistance, while the second and third flexible elements have smaller radial wall thicknesses for flexibility. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If elastomer material is used to increase flexibility, then misalignment can be accommodated, but pressure resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wall thickness parameter is varied across different flexible elements to achieve the desired balance between flexibility and pressure resistance. By changing the radial wall thickness parameter from greater (first flexible element) to smaller (second and third flexible elements), the compensator achieves both flexibility for misalignment accommodation and sufficient pressure resistance without requiring elastomer materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the compensator is designed to be flexible to accommodate angular deflection, then large forces are required to achieve the required deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible area is segmented into multiple flexible elements with varying wall thicknesses. This segmentation creates a progressive flexibility profile that allows angular deflection to occur through multiple small deformations rather than requiring a single large deformation, thereby reducing the force needed while maintaining angular deflection capability.
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 compensator effectively accommodates pipeline misalignments and internal pressure, providing sufficient compressive strength and flexibility, ensuring seamless welding and stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The plastic preferably has a yield strain between 2 and 11%
Implementation Method 2
The plastic preferably has a yield strain between 2 and 11%
Data Source
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AI summary
A compensator for connecting two plastic pipe ends, wherein the compensator has a cylindrical shape with different outside diameters, comprising two connection spigots at the opposite ends, with an outside diameter and a wall thickness, wherein the outside diameter and the wall thickness correspond to the nominal dimensions of the pipe ends to be connected, and a flexible section between the two connection spigots, wherein the flexible section has several flexible elements arranged one after the other and each spaced apart from the others, wherein the flexible elements are connected to each other via connecting elements, wherein the connecting elements have an outside diameter and a radial wall thickness, and wherein the flexible elements have an outside diameter, a radial wall thickness and an axial wall thickness.wherein the outer diameter of the flexible elements is larger than the outer diameters of the connecting nozzles and the connecting elements, wherein the compensator is made in one piece and of the same material, the material being plastic.