Threaded Fitting Gasket Seal Without Pipe Tape or Dope
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for forming fluid-tight joints between threaded fluid control components in fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers and tapered threaded fittings, require additional time, effort, and expense due to the need for sealing compounds like pipe dope or tape, and still result in a percentage of leaking joints.
Innovation Solution
A fitting design featuring a conduit with angularly oriented lands and a shoulder surface that compresses a gasket within the bore, allowing for a fluid-tight seal without the need for pipe tape or pipe dope, by rotating the sprinkler to engage the lands and compress the gasket both longitudinally and radially, effectively sealing both tapered and straight threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing compounds (pipe dope) or sealing tape are applied to male threads to ensure fluid tight joint, then sealing reliability is improved, but installation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for external sealing compounds (pipe dope) or sealing tape by integrating the sealing function directly into the fitting's internal structure through the gasket and sealing lands, eliminating the separate sealing step from the installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting performs its own sealing function through the self-contained gasket and sealing land mechanism, eliminating the need for separate sealing compounds that would require manual application by the installer
2Reliability
If sealing compounds (pipe dope) or sealing tape are applied to male threads to ensure fluid tight joint, then sealing reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from external consumable materials (pipe dope, tape) and embeds it into the permanent fitting structure through the gasket and sealing lands, eliminating ongoing material costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive or consumable sealing materials with a durable, reusable gasket integrated into the fitting, eliminating the need for repeated purchases of sealing compounds
3Ease of operation
If traditional threaded engagement methods are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but leaking joints occur requiring correction
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket acts as an intermediary element between the male threads and the fitting's internal structure, providing a dedicated sealing interface that prevents leaks while maintaining the simplicity of threaded engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lands create localized high-compression zones at specific points within the fitting bore, concentrating the sealing force where it is most needed at the thread-gasket interface
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 solution provides a more reliable and leak-resistant joint with reduced installation time and effort, maintaining a fluid-tight seal for multiple turns and allowing adjustability of the sprinkler's position without compromising the seal, while eliminating the need for additional sealing materials.
Implementation Method 1
compress the gasket both longitudinally and radially
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting has a conduit with a bore defined by a surface facing an axis coaxially located with respect to the bore. The surface may have three portions including a conical portion located proximate to the inlet of the conduit, a threaded portion located proximate to the outlet of the conduit and a cylindrical portion located between the conical and threaded portions. A gasket is positioned within the conduit. The gasket has an outer surface and an inner surface facing the axis. The gasket inner surface has angularly oriented lands. One of the lands faces the outlet and is engaged by a threaded component received by the threaded portion. Engagement between the component and the land compresses the gasket radially outwardly and longitudinally within the conduit. An angularly oriented shoulder guides the gasket into a redirection space defined by the conical portion (when present) as it deforms.