Scalloped Bleed Ring Geometry for Multi-Class Flange Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bleed rings are limited to specific flange diameters and pressure classes, necessitating separate inventories for different piping systems, which increases complexity and reduces efficiency in accessing and monitoring piping systems.
Innovation Solution
A bleed ring design featuring a cylindrical annular body with a textured coupling surface and scalloped cavities that can fit within the bolt circle of multiple pressure classes of pipe flanges, allowing for a single bleed ring to be used across different pressure classes without requiring separate inventory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bleed rings are designed to fit specific flange diameters and pressure classes, then they provide precise fit and proper function for that specific application, but separate inventories are required for different piping systems
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed ring is designed with a universal outer diameter that fits within the bolt circle of multiple pressure class flanges (150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, and 2500). The outer surface includes scalloped cavities that can align with flange bolts across different pressure classes, allowing a single bleed ring design to serve multiple functions and replace the need for separate inventories for different piping systems.
2Device complexity
If a single bleed ring design is used across multiple pressure classes, then inventory complexity is reduced, but fit precision and proper alignment with flange bolts may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed ring incorporates scalloped cavities in its outer surface that are strategically positioned to align with flange bolts across different pressure classes. This local variation in the outer surface geometry allows the universal bleed ring to achieve proper fit and alignment with specific flange configurations, maintaining reliability while enabling multi-pressure class compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A bleed ring includes an annular body defining a substantially cylindrical outer surface, a substantially cylindrical inner surface, a first coupling surface extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a second coupling surface substantially opposing the first coupling surface. One or more tap can extend between the outer surface and the inner surface. Scalloped cavities can be disposed in the outer surface. In this configuration, the inner surface has a diameter corresponding to a standard pipe size, the outer surface has a diameter configured to fit within a first arrangement of flange bolts associated with a first pressure class of the standard pipe size, and the scalloped cavities are configured to align with a second arrangement of flange bolts associated with a second pressure class of the standard pipe size.