Spectacle Blind Swinging Mechanism for Heavy Pipe Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotating or 'swinging' industrial-grade spectacle blinds between open and closed positions in pipe flange joints is costly and labor-intensive, often requiring heavy equipment and additional safety measures.

Innovation Solution

A swinging device comprising a first and second housing mounted to opposing pipes, a shaft extending between the housings, and a spectacle blind mounted to the shaft, allowing for rotation between open and closed positions without the need for heavy equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If industrial-grade spectacle blinds are used to accommodate larger pipes, then the pipe network isolation capability is improved, but the weight of the spectacle blind increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe network isolation capabilityVSAvoidspectacle blind weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spectacle blind is divided into two separate discs (solid disc and open disc) connected by a web, allowing each component to be optimized independently for strength and weight, enabling large pipe accommodation without proportional weight increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If heavier spectacle blinds are used for larger pipes, then the flow blocking capability is improved, but the ease of rotation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow blocking capabilityVSAvoidrotation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A pivot point mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the spectacle blind and the flange joint, allowing heavy blinds to rotate smoothly without requiring heavy lifting equipment or additional manpower

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The web is designed to be mounted securely between flange fasteners with the spectacle blind rotatable about a pivot point, transforming the static heavy structure into a dynamically rotatable component that can be easily repositioned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If spectacle blinds are mounted securely between flange fasteners, then the reliability of flow isolation is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow isolation reliabilityVSAvoidmounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism merges the spectacle blind attachment with the existing flange fastener system, utilizing the same fasteners for both flange connection and blind securing, thereby eliminating separate mounting hardware and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12287040B2Spectacle blind swinging devices and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A swinging device and related methods; the swinging device includes a first housing mountable to a first pipe on a first side of a pipe flange joint, a second housing mountable to a second pipe on a second side of a pipe flange joint, a shaft rotatably mounted to and extending between the first and second housings, and a spectacle blind mounted to the shaft such that rotating the shaft correspondingly rotates the spectacle blind between an open position, where the spectacle blind allows flow through the pipe flange joint, and a closed positon, where the spectacle blind prevents flow through the pipe flange joint.