Trapezoidal Gasket Deformation for Variable Pipe Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-tight gaskets for connecting pipes of varying diameters require multiple components or excessive material, leading to inconsistent tightening torque across different connections.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece, trapezoidal annular gasket with semicircular projections and a triangular recess allows for deformation to accommodate various diameters with reduced material usage and consistent tightening torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece gasket is used to connect pipes of varying diameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of material required increases to achieve sufficient deformation for tolerance accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with a larger cross-sectional area and a second portion with a smaller cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows each portion to serve different functions - the first portion provides material reservoir for deformation while the second portion achieves the seal with less material, resolving the contradiction between single-piece simplicity and material efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the gasket have different cross-sectional areas tailored to their specific functions. The first portion has a larger area where more material is needed for initial deformation and tolerance accommodation, while the second portion has a smaller area where less material is sufficient for sealing. This local differentiation optimizes material distribution throughout the gasket structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gasket with sufficient material quantity is used to accommodate tolerance for different pipe diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the tightening torque becomes inconsistent across different pipe diameters
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gasket into two portions with different cross-sectional areas, the deformation process is divided into stages. The first portion absorbs initial deformation demands for tolerance accommodation, while the second portion provides consistent sealing force. This segmentation enables consistent tightening torque across different pipe diameters while maintaining wide adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket's cross-sectional area parameter varies along its length, with the first portion having a larger area and the second portion having a smaller area. This parameter change allows the gasket to adapt to different pipe diameters while maintaining consistent sealing characteristics and tightening torque requirements across the range of applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If excessive material is used in a single-piece gasket to achieve deformation for various diameters, then the manufacturing precision for tolerance accommodation is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is segmented into a first portion that provides material for tolerance accommodation and a second portion that achieves the seal. This segmentation ensures that material is only used where necessary - the first portion contains the excess material needed for deformation, while the second portion uses minimal material for sealing, reducing overall material loss while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary material is effectively 'taken out' by creating a second portion with reduced cross-sectional area. Only the material required for the sealing function remains in the second portion, while the first portion contains the additional material needed for deformation. This extraction eliminates waste material while preserving the tolerance accommodation capability.
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 gasket achieves a fluid-tight seal across a wide range of pipe diameters with reduced material and consistent tightening torque, overcoming the limitations of multiple-component gaskets and excessive material usage.
Implementation Method 1
The deformation of the bodies which constitute the gasket is what allows the desired tolerance to be obtained for its application with different diameters of pipes
Implementation Method 2
a pressing force is applied to achieve the deformation of the gasket
Data Source
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AI summary
General-purpose fluid-tight gasket which allows the coupling between pipes in a fluid-tight manner, and which can be used for a wide range of different diameters of pipes. It has an annular configuration of trapezoidal section in the base of which is a series of projections, as well as a triangular recess which narrows toward the interior of the gasket, it has an inclined side on which there are likewise some semicircular projections. Due to the configuration which the gasket has, the use thereof is possible for a wide range of different diameters of pipes, since different degrees of deformation of the gasket can be obtained with a given tightening torque based on a different travel of the tightening screw. The different deformations which the gasket adopts are those which adapt to the different diameters of pipes for which the gasket can be used.