Profiled Press-Fitting Sealing Ring for Leak-Before-Press Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leak-before-press sealing rings for press fittings face issues with reliability and manufacturing complexity, leading to large leak paths and potential leakages due to tolerance variations and excess sealing material accumulation during crimping, as well as difficulty in detecting if the sealing ring has been forgotten to be pressed.

Innovation Solution

A profiled leak-before-press sealing ring with alternating arc-shaped and linear-shaped ring portions, connected by arc-shaped third type ring portions, ensuring smooth transitions and uniform sealing, which automatically seals around the circumference upon pressing and provides a clear indication of the ring's presence during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If outward curved first type ring portions are used to create leak paths, then intentional leak paths are formed before crimping, but excess sealing material accumulates and forms pile-ups during crimping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidpile-ups of sealing material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is divided into multiple alternating segments: first type ring portions (curved outwards) that create intentional leak paths, and second type ring portions (curved inwards) that prevent material accumulation. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - some creating leak paths while others maintain uniform sealing without pile-ups during crimping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the sealing ring have different local geometries optimized for their specific function. The first type portions have outward curvature to create leak paths, while the second type portions have inward curvature to prevent material accumulation. This local quality variation ensures that each region performs its intended function effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If large leak paths are created before crimping, then false indications of crimped joints are prevented, but large and heavy crimping action is necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of uncrimped jointsVSAvoidcrimping force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The leak path creation is segmented across multiple first type ring portions distributed around the circumference, rather than requiring one large continuous leak path. This distribution allows the crimping force to be applied more evenly and reduces the peak force needed to close all leak paths simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If minimal contact between pipe end and second type ring portions is allowed, then insertion is facilitated, but pipe end may prematurely slip out of socket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidretention of pipe end

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second type ring portions have inward curvature that creates localized contact zones with the pipe end. This local quality provides sufficient friction and mechanical interlocking to prevent premature slippage, while the overall design still allows easy insertion through the alternating pattern of first and second type portions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Shape

If arc-shaped first type ring portions with constant radius are used, then smooth transitions are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothness of transitionsVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerance control

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex arc-shaped profile with constant radius is segmented into discrete first type and second type ring portions. Each segment can be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, and the alternating pattern ensures that minor variations in one segment do not compound across the entire ring, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining smooth transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4048930B1Profiled leak-before-press sealing ring for a press fitting with arc-shaped first type ring portions alternating with linear-shaped second type ring portions

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 AALBERTS INTEGRATED PIPING SYST BV

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AI summary

A profiled leak-before-press sealing ring (16) comprises a plurality of arc-shaped first and linear-shaped second type ring portions (RP1, RP2) that lie alternating around a center axis (CA). The second type ring portions extend linear-shaped with straight inner and outer surfaces in a tangential direction. The first type ring portions have curved inner and outer surfaces of constant radii (R1i, R1o) around the center axis. The ring further comprises a plurality of third type ring portions (RP3) that extend arc-shaped in between respective ones of the arc-shaped first and linear-shaped second type ring portions, and that each connect with its head ends to head ends of neighbouring ones of the first and second type ring portions. The arc-shaped first, the linear-shaped second, and the arc-shaped third type ring portions all have a same evenly large dimensioned cross-sectional shape.