Tangential Clamping Belt for Uniform Pipe Coupling Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe coupling systems experience uneven force distribution and flexural loading of clamping screws due to radial spacing of clamping force application points, leading to tension and potential failure in the clamping mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The design features a clamping belt with overlapping ends that have a maximum width equal to the belt's width, including longitudinal slots for the clamping screw, which allows for tangential force transfer and placement of the clamping screw close to the pipe circumference, reducing flexural loading and tension. Additionally, recesses in the anchoring element and sealing element accommodate the clamping screws, ensuring uniform force distribution and geometrical compensation for varying pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clamping screw is placed radially spaced from the pipe circumference, then the clamping mechanism can be simplified, but flexural loading of the clamping screw and tensions in the clamping screw closure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping screw is repositioned from a radial arrangement to a tangential arrangement, changing the dimensional orientation of the clamping force application. This dimensional change allows the clamping screw to act along the tangent of the pipe circumference, eliminating flexural loading while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force application is copied from the radial direction to the tangential direction through the longitudinal slot configuration. The slot geometry replicates the clamping function in a different orientation, transferring the force uniformly without creating bending moments.
2Device complexity
If there is spacing between the ends of the clamping belt, then the clamping belt can be simplified in structure, but uniform force transfer is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping ends of the clamping belt are designed to extend beyond the pipe circumference in advance, creating a preliminary overlap region. This preliminary action ensures that the clamping force is continuously transferred across the entire circumference without interruption, even when the belt ends are spaced apart in the axial direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The two ends of the clamping belt are merged in the radial direction by overlapping them beyond the pipe circumference. This merging creates a continuous force transfer path around the pipe, combining the clamping action of both ends into a unified uniform pressure distribution.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping screw is positioned far from the pipe circumference, then the clamping mechanism has greater freedom of movement, but considerable flexural loading and tensions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping screw is positioned locally at the tangential contact point with the pipe circumference, where the force application is most efficient. This local positioning ensures that the clamping force is applied exactly where needed, minimizing the moment arm and eliminating flexural loading while maintaining operational freedom.
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 uniform loading around the pipe circumference with minimal loading on the clamping mechanism, reducing tensions and flexural loading, and allows for effective geometrical compensation, preventing clamping screw failure even with varying pipe diameters.
Implementation Method 1
The maximum bounds of lateral extent of the widths of the two mutually overlapping ends of the clamping belt together corresponds at most to the width of the clamping belt in the longitudinal portion
Implementation Method 2
at least one essentially tangential clamping screw, that engages with bolts at the ends of the clamping belt
Implementation Method 3
The friction-locked (or force-fitted) connection of the pipes is brought about by a force which is applied by at least one clamping belt surrounding the anchoring element
Implementation Method 4
at least one sealing element of a rubber-elastic material, which is accommodated in a housing enclosing this or each sealing element
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping belt for a pipe coupling for connecting smooth-end pipes in a force-closed manner has ends that overlap each other, where the width of the two ends of the clamping belt that overlap each other together is no more than the width of the clamping belt in the longitudinal section between the ends. A pipe coupling using the clamping belt has a sealing element and an anchoring element that surrounds the sealing element. The anchoring element includes elements that follow one another in the circumferential direction.