Rotatable Pipe Flange Assembly for Fast Alignment and Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange connection systems are cumbersome to align, require separate stoppers for preventing rotary flange movement, and suffer from fluid leakage and airtightness deterioration due to repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connection device with a rotatable ring flange and adapter structure, featuring a protruding end with a slide groove and slide protrusion, O-ring sealing, and reinforcing plates to ensure secure alignment and airtightness without a separate stopper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flange is completely welded and fixed to a pipe, then the connection is strong and stable, but it becomes very difficult and cumbersome to align opposing flanges with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The flange connection system is divided into two independent parts: a fixed flange welded to one pipe and a rotatable flange on another pipe. This segmentation allows one flange to remain stationary while the other rotates independently, making alignment much easier while maintaining connection stability through the welded fixed flange.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement to one of the flanges, transforming the static alignment process into a dynamic one. The rotatable flange can rotate to align its bolt holes with the fixed flange, significantly reducing alignment difficulty while the welded connection ensures stability when assembled.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a separate stopper is added to restrict movement of a rotary flange, then the rotary flange can be prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction, but the structure becomes complicated and construction becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper function is merged with the existing flange structure itself. The flange incorporates integral stopper protrusions that engage with corresponding grooves in the adapter, eliminating the need for separate stopper components. This integration maintains position stability while simplifying the overall structure and reducing construction time.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure provides its own positioning and stopping function through integrated features. The stopper protrusions and grooves are built into the flange and adapter design, allowing the component to self-restrict its movement without requiring external stopper devices, thereby reducing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rotary flange and fixed flange are joined in a simply stacked structure, then assembly is simple, but fluid leakage occurs between the two pipes
Solution Approach 1:
An O-ring seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotary flange and fixed flange. This O-ring fills the gap between the two flanges, preventing fluid leakage while allowing the simple stacked assembly structure to remain intact. The seal mediator maintains both assembly simplicity and leak prevention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the rotary flange and fixed flange are repeatedly joined to and released from each other, then the connection is flexible, but the portions under pressing force wear and airtightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring seal acts as a cushioning element that protects the flange contact surfaces from direct pressing force during repeated assembly and disassembly. By absorbing the mechanical stress, the O-ring prevents wear on the flange surfaces, maintaining airtightness durability while allowing connection flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring seal, as a flexible elastic element, accommodates the repeated joining and releasing of flanges. Its flexibility allows it to deform during assembly and return to its original shape, protecting the rigid flange surfaces from wear and maintaining sealing performance over multiple cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a pipe connection device. The pipe connection device includes an adapter including a hollow pipe and a ring-shaped protruding end extending in the diameter direction of the hollow pipe from one end of the hollow pipe in the longitudinal direction, a ring flange formed in a ring shape and mounted so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the protruding end and to be axially rotatable about a central axis of the hollow pipe in the longitudinal direction but not to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the hollow pipe, and a fastening unit configured to join two different ring flanges to each other in a stacked structure so that one end of one of two different hollow pipes in the longitudinal direction and one end of the remaining one of the two different hollow pipes in the longitudinal direction are forcibly secured to each other.