Segmented Pipe Joint Housing for Compact High-Seal Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housing type pipe joints struggle to achieve both high-level sealing performance and flexibility in design while being compact and lightweight, particularly when transitioning from casting to metal plate configurations, which can lead to insufficient sealing and restricted design flexibility due to deformation and misalignment of tubular members.
Innovation Solution
The pipe joint is divided into an inner casing that restrains the sealing member and an outer casing that engages tubular members, both formed from multiple metal plate segments with varying thicknesses, allowing for secure sealing and flexible design by pressing the inner casing against the sealing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single casing is used to perform both sealing member restraint and tubular member engagement functions, then the structure is simple, but sealing performance becomes insufficient when the casing deforms due to positional changes of tubular members
Solution Approach 1:
The single casing is divided into two separate casings: a inner casing dedicated to restraining the sealing member and an outer casing dedicated to engaging the tubular members. This segmentation allows each casing to be optimized for its specific function, preventing deformation issues that would compromise sealing performance while maintaining structural simplicity through functional specialization.
2Reliability
If the casing shape is designed to fit the sealing member, then sealing performance is maintained, but design flexibility is restricted due to requirements for fitting tubular member engagement features
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function (inner casing) from the engagement function (outer casing), the inner casing can be freely designed to fit the sealing member without compromise, while the outer casing independently accommodates tubular member engagement features. This eliminates the design conflicts that would otherwise restrict flexibility.
3Weight of stationary object
If a C-shaped ring-like casing is used, then the structure is simple and lightweight, but it is difficult to mount on tubular members during laying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into two separate components that can be independently assembled. The inner casing can be mounted onto the sealing member first, followed by the outer casing engaging the tubular members. This segmented approach simplifies the mounting process during laying operations compared to a single integrated C-shaped structure, while maintaining the lightweight advantage of the metal plate construction.
4Reliability
If casting is used for the housing type pipe joint, then high reliability and operational experience are achieved, but the joint is large in mass and size
Solution Approach 1:
The material and construction method are changed from traditional casting to metal plate fabrication. This parameter change reduces the mass and size of the joint while maintaining reliability through the segmented casing design that ensures proper sealing and engagement functions. The metal plate construction allows for lighter weight compared to conventional cast iron or steel joints.
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
This configuration ensures high-level sealing performance, flexibility in design, and a compact, lightweight structure by individually addressing the functions of sealing and engaging tubular members, enhancing liquid tightness and airtightness.
Implementation Method 1
a first casing which is externally fitted to a sealing member to restrain a shape of the sealing member
Implementation Method 2
a second casing which is prepared outside the first casing and to be engaged with outer peripheral surfaces of a pair of tubular members... and to press the first casing against the sealing member
Data Source
AI summary
A casing constituting a housing type pipe joint is divided into an inner casing which externally fits to a sealing member to restrain a shape of a sealing member and an outer casing which is prepared outside the inner casing, engages with a pair of tubular members with their tube ends opposing each other inside the sealing member and presses the inner casing against the sealing member, these inner and outer casings being constituted by plural segments, each of which is formed as an integrated object from a metal plate, and a plate thickness of the inner casing is equal to or larger than a plate thickness of the outer casing. Thereby, a housing type pipe joint which can achieve both a function to restrain a shape of a sealing member and a function to engage tubular members at a sufficiently high level and is compact and lightweight is provided.