Underwater Pipe Coupling for Misalignment Sealing and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for angularly misaligned pipe sections in underwater applications face challenges in achieving hydraulic sealing and withstanding high stresses, particularly when misalignments are significant, as they require complex and costly spherical surface configurations.
Innovation Solution
A connection device comprising a first and second tubular body with spherical faces, a tubular pusher, and mechanisms for coupling and blocking movement, along with a vise for radial and axial clamping, allowing for a spherical coupling between misaligned pipe sections while preventing the coupling from acting as a spherical joint, thus ensuring stability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spherical coupling surfaces are used to accommodate angular misalignment, then adaptability to misaligned pipe sections is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple spherical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spherical coupling function from a complex multi-spherical-surface system and concentrates it into a single spherical coupling interface between the tubular pusher and the second pipe section. This eliminates the need for multiple spherical surfaces while maintaining the ability to accommodate angular misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spherical coupling surface serves multiple functions: it accommodates angular misalignment, provides a centering function, and enables the blocking mechanism to prevent spherical joint behavior. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If blocking mechanism is added to prevent spherical joint behavior, then stability of the connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is integrated with the spherical coupling interface rather than being a separate component. The blocking elements work in conjunction with the single spherical coupling surface to prevent spherical joint behavior, merging multiple functions into a unified structure that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the spherical coupling and the pipe sections, preventing relative spherical movement while maintaining the connection. This mediator approach provides stability without requiring complex additional structures.
3Strength
If vise clamping is applied to secure the spherical coupling, then strength of the connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vise applies clamping forces at specific localized points on the tubular pusher and first pipe section, concentrating the strengthening action where most needed at the spherical coupling interface. This localized approach provides high connection strength without requiring complex clamping systems throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection device (1) for joining two pipe sections in a body of water has a first tubular body (4) having a spherical face (10); a second tubular body (5) having at least one spherical face (14); a tubular pusher (6) arranged about the second tubular body (5) and having a spherical face (16); a first mechanism (7) for coupling the second tubular body (5) between the first tubular body (4) and the tubular pusher (6) and providing a spherical coupling between the first and the second tubular body (4; 5); and a second mechanism (8) for blocking any movement about the spherical coupling of the second tubular body (5) with respect to the first tubular body (4) and the tubular pusher ( 6).