Tube-End Sealing Valve for Leak-Free Pressure Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for pressure testing and pressurizing tubes in pipe systems are cumbersome to prepare and often result in leaks, requiring soldering or screw threads, which complicates removal and increases installation costs and leakage risks.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sealing element featuring a clamping portion and a separate sealing portion, along with a clamping element that can be easily attached and detached without cutting the tube, and a valve element for controlling fluid flow, allowing for efficient sealing and pressure testing without soldering or screw threads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known devices (tap and coupling) are used to pressure test tubes, then the tube can be tested as part of the pipe system, but the preparation process becomes cumbersome and requires soldering or screw threads
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a sealing element with clamping portion and sealing portion, and a valve element. This segmentation allows the sealing and clamping functions to be realized independently, eliminating the need for complex preparation steps like soldering or threading while maintaining reliable pressure testing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the valve element and the tube. It provides both sealing contact with the tube outer surface and clamping connection, mediating the connection without requiring modification to the tube itself, thus simplifying the preparation process while ensuring reliable testing
2Strength
If known devices are soldered or screwed onto the tube, then a secure connection is achieved, but removal requires cutting the tube which increases installation costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element provides a dynamic connection that can be easily adjusted between installed and removed states. The resilient clamping portion maintains strong connection during use but allows simple removal by releasing the clamping force, eliminating the need for cutting and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be removable and reusable rather than permanent. The clamping mechanism allows the device to be recovered and reused on different tubes without damaging the tube, unlike soldered or screwed connections that require cutting the tube for removal
3Reliability
If a sealing element with separate clamping and sealing portions is used, then reliable sealing and clamping are achieved without glue, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping portion and sealing portion are merged into a single integrated sealing element. This unified structure achieves both clamping and sealing functions simultaneously without requiring separate components or adhesive materials, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable performance
4Reliability
If the tube end is closed to prevent fluid leakage, then environmental protection and testing accuracy are improved, but the ability to allow fluid entry/exit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element provides dynamic control over the sealing opening, allowing the system to switch between closed (leakage prevention) and open (fluid flow) states. This dynamic capability enables both leakage prevention during testing and fluid entry/exit when needed, maintaining both reliability and adaptability
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 device provides reliable sealing and clamping without additional installation costs, reduces leakage risks, and allows for easy removal without damaging the tube, enhancing the efficiency of pipe system pressurization and testing.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element arranged for being in contact with an outer surface of said tube, said sealing element comprising a clamping portion for clamping, via said sealing element, said device onto said tube
Implementation Method 2
The sealing element comprises a resilient material, preferably a material comprising rubber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device arranged for being provided at an end of a tube having an axial direction, such as a water supply tube, wherein said device in a first condition of said device closes said end of said tube and in a second condition of said device allowing fluid to enter and/or exit said end of said tube.