Connection Socket Sealing Structure for High-Temperature Pipe Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional press connections in piping systems face issues such as material flow restriction, turbulence, and potential for leaks due to distortion, which can lead to erosion and reduced flow rates, and are prone to failure at high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A connection socket design featuring a metal alloy socket cup with a primary elastomeric seal, spacer rings, and locking rings with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, which includes biting features and a secondary seal with a melting temperature above the primary seal's service temperature, enhancing sealing and gripping capabilities at high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If inward distortion is applied to achieve press connection, then resistance to slippage is improved, but material flow restriction and turbulence increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to slippageVSAvoidmaterial flow restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a press connection mechanism for gripping and a sealing mechanism with elastomeric seals for flow management. This segmentation allows the gripping function to achieve slippage resistance without requiring severe distortion that would harm material flow, as the sealing function handles flow-related tasks independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the connection system are given different properties: the gripping surfaces have high friction and distortion capacity for slippage resistance, while the sealing region uses elastomeric materials that conform to surfaces and maintain flow paths. The elastomeric seal creates a localized sealing zone that does not restrict overall material flow through the connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If inward distortion is applied to achieve press connection, then resistance to slippage is improved, but erosion of interior pipe surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to slippageVSAvoiderosion of interior pipe surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system separates the gripping function from the flow path. The press connection mechanism applies distortion locally to gripping surfaces to achieve slippage resistance, while the elastomeric seal maintains a smooth, undistorted flow path that prevents erosion. This segmentation allows high distortion at grip points without affecting the interior surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric seal acts as an intermediary between the distorted press connection and the material flow. It absorbs the distortion effects and provides a smooth sealing surface that prevents erosion, while still allowing the press mechanism to apply sufficient distortion for slippage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If inward distortion is applied to achieve press connection, then resistance to slippage is improved, but the range of acceptable joinery materials is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to slippageVSAvoidrange of acceptable joinery materials
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism uses elastomeric materials whose physical properties (softness, elasticity, temperature resistance) can be adjusted to match different pipe materials and service conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to work with diverse joinery materials without requiring each material to withstand severe distortion, expanding material compatibility while maintaining slippage resistance through the press mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system combines different materials with complementary properties: the press mechanism uses high-strength materials for gripping, while the seal uses elastomeric materials for compatibility and sealing. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling connection of diverse materials without requiring all materials to meet stringent distortion requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If traditional press connections are used, then mechanical joining is achieved, but sealing performance at high temperature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical joining strengthVSAvoidsealing performance at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism transitions from relying on mechanical distortion (which fails at high temperature) to using elastomeric material properties that can be selected for high-temperature resistance. The elastomeric seal maintains its sealing capability across a wide temperature range by selecting appropriate rubber compounds, while the press mechanism maintains mechanical joining strength independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system separates mechanical joining function from sealing function. The press mechanism provides mechanical strength and gripping, while the elastomeric seal provides temperature-resistant sealing. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, maintaining both mechanical strength and high-temperature sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The design provides improved resistance to slippage, reduced material flow restrictions, and enhanced sealing performance, including high-temperature resistance, by utilizing the thermal expansion properties of the locking rings and secondary seal to maintain a secure connection and prevent leaks.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the one or more locking rings comprises a metal alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal alloy composition of the socket cup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS12038106B2Piping connections and connection sockets
Publication Date: 2024.07.16 NIBCO INC
  • US12038106B2 patent drawing
  • US12038106B2 patent drawing
  • US12038106B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.