Segmented Pipe Socket Clamp for Leak-Free Bonding Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piping systems face challenges in creating reliable, skill-independent connections between pipes and fittings, particularly in harsh environments, due to the need for skilled labor and secondary seals to prevent bonding agent leakage during injection.

Innovation Solution

A pipe fitting design featuring a tubular member with a socket, centering device, and removable clamp that ensures coaxial alignment and uniform gap formation, allowing for the injection of a bonding agent without additional secondary seals, and includes a reinforcement band or glass fiber reinforcement for enhanced hoop strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If injection application method is used, then bonding agent can be injected into the gap, but bonding agent may leak during injection process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding agent injectionVSAvoidbonding agent leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is installed and sealing members are positioned at the socket opening before bonding agent injection begins. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing mechanism is in place to prevent leakage during the injection process, allowing the bonding agent to be injected without risk of leaking out the open end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing members are introduced as intermediary elements between the bonding agent and the external environment. These sealing members, when compressed by the clamp, create a barrier that prevents bonding agent leakage while allowing the injection process to proceed. The clamp itself acts as an intermediary mechanism to apply the necessary compression force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If clamp with sealing members is used to prevent leakage, then bonding agent leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding agent leakage preventionVSAvoidclamp and sealing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing members are made from flexible material that can deform under compression. This flexibility allows the sealing members to conform to the socket opening and create an effective seal without requiring complex rigid sealing structures. The simple yet effective design of flexible sealing members reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp is divided into multiple arcuate segments that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows for easier installation and adjustment of the clamp, and the sealing members can be individually compressed at different locations around the socket opening. This modular approach simplifies the overall device structure compared to a monolithic sealing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If brush application method is used, then bonding agent can be applied, but excess bonding agent may deposit into piping water-way or drip from socket entrance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding agent applicationVSAvoidbonding agent deposition control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp and sealing members act as an intermediary containment system during bonding agent injection. This system provides controlled delivery of the bonding agent into the gap, preventing excess bonding agent from depositing into the piping water-way or dripping from the socket entrance. The injection method combined with the sealing system offers better precision compared to brush application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If pipe and fitting tolerances are not tightly controlled, then manufacturing is easier, but brush application method cannot achieve proper bonding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe and fitting manufacturingVSAvoidbonding agent application

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the application method from brush application to injection, and introduces the clamp mechanism to dynamically adjust the gap dimensions during the bonding process. By compressing the sealing members, the clamp can compensate for variations in pipe and fitting tolerances, ensuring proper bonding without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances. This parameter adjustment approach allows easier manufacturing while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11313499B2Pipe fitting apparatus and methods

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 IPS CORP

AI summary

A pipe fitting includes a socket that receives an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. A pair of ports extend through the socket and are in fluid communication with the gap. A clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via a port. The clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each having an inner circumferential wall, first and second end portions, and an elongated sealing member. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of spring-loaded devices, each having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is urged into contact with the pipe section outer surface.