Three-Part Rotatable Pipe Fitting for Adjustable Angle and Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe fittings with fixed angles and internal circulation pipes face challenges such as reduced inner diameter due to drilling, leading to pressure losses and limited flexibility, making it difficult to install internal circulation pipes and maintain hygiene standards.
Innovation Solution
A three-part pipe fitting design with adjustable angles, allowing for a straight flow path and variable deflection angles, enabling easy installation of internal circulation pipes and flexible angle adjustments without constriction, using positive-locking or non-positive connecting means like snap connections and screw connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pipe fittings are used with fixed angles, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the flexibility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe fitting is divided into multiple modular segments that can be connected and rotated relative to each other. Each segment can be independently positioned to achieve different deflection angles, transforming a fixed-angle component into an adjustable-angle system while maintaining structural simplicity through standardization of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe fitting transitions from a static, fixed-angle design to a dynamic, adjustable-angle design. The segments are equipped with rotation mechanisms that allow the fitting to change its configuration during installation and operation, enabling adaptation to various pipeline layouts without requiring multiple different fittings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If internal circulation pipes are installed in conventional pipe fittings, then circulation function is added, but the inner diameter is reduced due to drilling and pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pipe is nested within the main flow path of the pipe fitting. The circulation pipe runs through the interior of the fitting segments, utilizing the existing structural space rather than requiring separate drilling operations. This nesting approach allows the circulation function to be integrated without significantly reducing the effective inner diameter of the main flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pipe is arranged in a spatial configuration that utilizes the radial and axial dimensions of the fitting structure. By routing the circulation pipe through the walls and internal chambers of the fitting segments, the design adds a circulation dimension without constraining the primary flow dimension, thereby minimizing pressure losses.
3Reliability
If conventional pipe fittings are used, then installation is straightforward, but hygiene requirements are difficult to meet due to constrictions and dead zones
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe fitting segments incorporate curved transition zones instead of sharp angles or abrupt changes in direction. The curved geometry eliminates dead zones and stagnation areas where contamination could accumulate, ensuring smooth flow transitions that meet hygiene requirements while maintaining ease of installation through standardized curved components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-angle pipe fittings are kept in stock for different applications, then every desired deflection angle is available, but inventory complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal pipe fitting design with adjustable segments replaces the need for multiple specialized fittings with fixed angles. The universal fitting can be configured to provide various deflection angles (e.g., 45°, 90°, 135°) by rotating the segments to different positions, thereby eliminating the need to maintain separate inventories of different fixed-angle fittings.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe fitting for conveying a medium, including an inlet at which the medium enters in a first direction perpendicular to an inlet cross section, and an outlet at which the medium leaves in a second direction perpendicular to an outlet cross section, wherein the two directions enclose an angle. The pipe fitting has three parts, wherein in each case two parts bearing against one another at a contact point, wherein in each case two parts at their contact point being rotatable relative to one another about the axis of the flow direction at the contact point in order to change the angle, and wherein the two contact points being spaced apart from one another in the flow direction.