Adjustable Insulated Pipe Joint for Stray Current Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal pipes near electrical sources suffer from corrosion due to stray currents, and existing anti-corrosion solutions often require on-site welding or connection, leading to time delays and increased labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic anti-corrosion pipe system with adjustable length, featuring electrically insulating fixation members and anti-corrosion coatings, allowing for easy on-site length adjustment and fixation without electrical conduction between pipe sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional welding or connection methods are used to connect pipe sections, then the pipe system achieves structural integrity, but the installation process experiences time delays and increased labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe system is divided into modular sections with standardized coupling mechanisms. Each pipe section can be independently installed and connected using the coupling device, eliminating the need for on-site welding or complex joining operations. The coupling includes a body portion, inspection cap, and sealing elements that can be assembled by simple mechanical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling components are pre-assembled with sealing elements and inspection caps during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid on-site installation where the pre-assembled coupling is simply attached to the pipe sections without requiring additional sealing work or complex assembly steps during installation.
2Strength
If metal pipe sections are connected directly to each other, then the connection is structurally strong, but electrical current conducts between sections causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body acts as an intermediary component between pipe sections. It includes a non-conductive bushing or insulating material that prevents electrical current conduction while maintaining mechanical connection strength. The coupling body material itself can be non-metallic or coated to provide electrical insulation between connected pipe sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device utilizes composite construction with both conductive and non-conductive materials. The coupling body may use non-conductive materials or incorporate insulating layers, while the threading and mechanical connection elements provide structural strength. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of electrical isolation and mechanical strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-length pipe sections are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to varying installation length requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe system incorporates adjustable coupling mechanisms that allow the effective length to be dynamically changed during installation. The coupling device enables pipe sections to be connected in series with varying numbers of sections, or allows for telescopic adjustment within the coupling, providing length adaptability while maintaining standardized manufacturing of individual components.
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 system effectively reduces corrosion by allowing adjustable length adjustments and secure, electrically insulated connections, minimizing labor costs and time delays associated with traditional welding methods.
Implementation Method 1
a fixation member that clamps a portion of the second pipe section to a portion of the first pipe section... the fixation member including an insulator which is electrically insulating and passes no electrical current between the first and second pipe sections
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A pipe system (10) includes a first pipe section (12) and a second pipe section (14) arranged, and together defining a total length, along a longitudinal axis (15). The first and second pipe sections (12, 14) are movable with respect to each other so as to shorten or lengthen the total length. A fixation member (34, 52) clamps a portion of the second pipe section (14) to a portion of the first pipe section (12). The fixation member (34, 52) includes an insulator (34, 40, 53) which is electrically insulating and passes no electrical current between the first and second pipe sections (12, 14).