Vacuum-Assisted Pipe Joining for Skewed Branch Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a method and apparatus to facilitate the joining of pipes, particularly in confined spaces and at variable angles, to simplify the installation of branch connections in piping systems while ensuring a strong and liquid-tight seal.

Innovation Solution

The method involves heating the mating surfaces of the pipes to their softening temperature and using a vacuum to create negative pressure, which pushes the pipes together, allowing for a consistent and strong joint formation even at skewed angles without manual pressure, utilizing a plate with a heater and a cap connected to a vacuum device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual pressure is applied to push pipes together during joining, then the pipes can be connected, but the operation becomes awkward and inconsistent when pipes are skewed or at variable angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of joint formationVSAvoiddifficulty of manual pressure application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressure system with a vacuum-based system. A vacuum chamber creates negative pressure that automatically draws the pipe ends together through pressure differential, eliminating the need for manual pushing and providing consistent force regardless of pipe orientation or angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses vacuum (negative pressure) to create the forcing mechanism for joining pipes. The vacuum chamber evacuates air to create a pressure differential that pulls the softened pipe ends together, providing uniform and controllable joining force without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If pipes are joined at variable angles in confined spaces, then installation flexibility is improved, but the complexity of achieving consistent pressure distribution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to join at variable anglesVSAvoidcomplexity of pressure equalization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum system automatically adjusts to pipe misalignment and angle variations. The negative pressure creates a self-correcting force that draws the pipe ends together along their natural alignment, allowing the system to accommodate variable angles without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or manual intervention for pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the plate is removed immediately after heating, then the process time is reduced, but the pipes may not be properly positioned for optimal joint formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal joining process timeVSAvoidalignment precision of pipe joint

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum is applied during the heating phase to preliminarily position and hold the pipe ends in proper alignment before the plastic fully sets. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the plate is removed and the plastic cools, the pipes remain properly aligned, achieving both time efficiency and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enables efficient and consistent joining of pipes at various angles, reducing the complexity of connections and ensuring a strong, liquid-tight seal without the need for manual pressure, making it suitable for installation in confined spaces.

Implementation Method 1

heating the distal end of the first pipe and the second pipe with a heater until the distal end(s) of the first pipe and the second pipe have reached a softening temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

creating a negative pressure within a cavity of the first pipe after the contacting step so that the distal end of the first pipe is pushed into the second pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11339906B2Method of joining pipes and apparatus for facilitating the same

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 MORROW ROBERT J

AI summary

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.