Seismic Pipe Joint With Buckling Zones Away From Welds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline joints, particularly welded lap joints, are prone to bending or buckling at the joint during geohazard events, leading to increased risk of failure and loss of pressure containment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pipes with deformations, such as annular bulges or recesses, spaced apart from the pipe joints, which are designed to induce buckling at specific locations along the pipe axis, thereby redirecting stress away from the joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welded lap joints are used to connect pipes, then the joint can be sealed and structurally connected, but the joint becomes prone to bending or buckling during geohazard events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming buckle-inducing deformations in the pipes before the geohazard events occur. These pre-formed deformations are located at specific distances from the joint (e.g., 2-36 inches away) and are designed to control where buckling will occur during seismic events, ensuring it happens away from the welded joint rather than at the joint itself.
2Strength
If the material at the welded connection is hardened during welding, then the joint strength is improved, but the material becomes more prone to fracture during severe loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the buckling function from the joint area and relocating it to separate deformation zones. The buckle-inducing deformations are positioned at distances (2-36 inches) from the welded joint, effectively separating the buckling mechanism from the joint itself. This allows the joint material to remain hardened for strength while the deformations absorb the buckling energy at safe distances.
3Reliability
If deformations are added to the pipe to induce buckling away from joints, then joint failure risk is reduced, but the pipe structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the pipe at specific locations. The buckle-inducing deformations are characterized by controlled dimensions including crest heights (50-500% of pipe wall thickness) and axial distances from the joint (2-36 inches). These parameter changes create the buckling functionality without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint has a first pipe having an end portion and a first pipe wall thickness, and a second pipe having an end portion. The end portion of the first pipe is welded to the end portion of the second pipe to seal the joint between the first pipe and the second pipe. The first pipe has an outwardly-extending, buckle-inducing deformation that is spaced apart from the pipe joint. A crest height of the deformation is 500% or less of the first pipe wall thickness.