Polymer Pipe Joint Assembly Without End Expansion Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joint assemblies for connecting polymer and metal pipes face issues with impermeability due to the degradation of additional sealing elements under temperature or chemical stress, and require end preparation that can lead to pipe damage and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly featuring a fitting inside the pipe with a sleeve made of hard polymer materials that changes dimensions under pressure, combined with a coupling having a lead-in chamfer and shoulder, allowing for a secure connection without additional sealing elements and minimizing pipe end expansion, using cylindrical and conical sections to ensure a reliable and hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pipe ends are widened (bell-mouth) to enable joint assembly connection, then the joint can be assembled, but the pipe end geometry changes including increased diameter, leading to destruction or weakening of the pipe and potential cracking of layers in multilayered pipes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the pipe end to accommodate the fitting (bell-mouth expansion), the invention inverts the approach by having the fitting and coupling accommodate the pipe in its original geometry. The fitting is positioned inside the pipe and the coupling compresses the pipe against the fitting, eliminating the need for pipe end modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the fitting positioned inside the pipe, the sleeve made of hard polymer material, and the coupling that applies compression. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without requiring modification of the pipe structure.
2Ease of operation
If a sleeve made of hard polymer materials that changes dimensions under pressure is used, then the coupling can be pulled over the sleeve with inside diameter smaller than outside diameter of the sleeve, but the sleeve material must withstand significant compressive forces to enable pipe diameter reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is made of hard polymer materials that combine rigidity with controlled deformability under compression. These materials provide sufficient strength to withstand the compressive forces needed to reduce pipe diameter while allowing the necessary dimensional change to enable coupling installation.
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 solution provides a reliable and hermetic connection between polymer and metal pipes, preventing pipe end damage and maintaining joint integrity under various conditions, while allowing for flexible connection lengths and easy assembly without additional equipment or adaptations.
Implementation Method 1
sleeve made of hard polymer materials which do not change their dimensions and shape adapted to change geometric dimensions and/or shape under pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to pipeline transport and can be used for connecting polymer pipes to each other or to metal pipes, as well as to polymer and metal containers. The polymer pipe joint assembly comprises a fitting, positioned inside the polymer pipe, a coupling, having at least one cylindrical section, which covers the pipe and fitting, wherein the assembly has a sleeve, capable of changing its geometrical dimensions and shape under pressure, said sleeve has at least one cylindrical section placed between the pipe and coupling, the fitting has a shoulder on its outside surface, restricting the movement of the pipe and sleeve, while the inside surface of the coupling has a lead-in chamfer. The change of the dimensions of the sleeve can be performed both by selecting different types of sleeve material or by its construction design.