Vent Pipe Cap Assembly for Reliable Pressure Relief Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure relief devices for pipelines are prone to failure due to environmental contaminants and require pristine pipe surfaces for proper functioning, making them unreliable and difficult to maintain, especially in harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cap system with a base and cover assembly where the sealing surface is on the cap rather than the pipe, allowing the cover to be blown off during pressure events independently of the pipe's surface condition, and featuring an anchor assembly to secure the cover before, during, and after the event, providing visual indication and environmental protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible PVC cover is used to seal the vent pipe end, then environmental protection is improved, but the device becomes sensitive to pipe surface condition deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealing surface as an intermediary component between the cover and the pipe. This sealing surface is provided by the base rather than relying on the pipe's outside surface, thereby mediating the sealing function and eliminating dependence on pipe surface condition. The sealing surface provides a controlled, pristine interface that ensures reliable pressure event response regardless of pipe deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing function from the pipe structure by providing a separate base with a dedicated sealing surface. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be independent of the pipe's outside surface condition, enabling the cover to reliably respond to pressure events without being affected by pipe surface deterioration, corrosion, or foreign material buildup.
2Ease of operation
If the cover seals directly to the pipe's outside surface, then installation simplicity is improved, but the device requires pristine pipe surfaces to function reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The base with its sealing surface acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for direct sealing between the cover and the pipe's outside surface. This intermediary provides a controlled sealing interface that does not require pristine pipe surfaces, thereby maintaining installation simplicity while removing the stringent surface condition requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the sealing interface on the base rather than relying on the pipe's outside surface. This copied sealing surface is provided in a controlled manufacturing environment, ensuring it maintains pristine conditions without requiring the pipe surface to be perfect, thus simplifying installation while ensuring reliable function.
3Device complexity
If the sealing surface is on the pipe rather than the cap, then device complexity is reduced, but the sealing surface deteriorates over time exposing it to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the sealing surface on the base (cap) rather than on the pipe. This inversion protects the sealing surface from environmental deterioration since it remains housed within the cap assembly, away from direct exposure to weather, UV radiation, and contaminants, thereby extending its service life while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base with its sealing surface serves as an intermediary that shields the critical sealing interface from environmental factors. By housing the sealing surface within the cap assembly rather than exposing it on the pipe exterior, the intermediary structure protects the sealing surface from UV degradation, weathering, and contamination, extending its operational life.
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
Ensures consistent failure indication and reduced environmental exposure for the sealing surface, maintaining functionality even with deteriorated pipe surfaces, and providing a durable, reusable solution resistant to corrosion and weathering.
Implementation Method 1
allow a build-up of pressure within the pipe, and to be blown off the sealing surface when the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe cap includes a base, a cover, and an anchor assembly connecting the cover to the base. The base is connected to an open end of a vent pipe, and includes a sealing surface. The cover seals to the sealing surface and thereby seals the open end of the pipe so as to allow a build-up of pressure within the pipe. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the cover is blown off of the base to expose the sealing surface. The cover has a different visual appearance than the sealing surface. Thus, exposure of the sealing surface provides a visual indication of the occurrence of the pressure event.