Self-Aligning Vent Pipe Coupling With External Flange Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting insulated chimney vent pipes are cumbersome, time-consuming, and require high-temperature sealants or gaskets that can withstand 2,000° F, making them difficult to assemble efficiently, especially when multiple pipes need to be connected.
Innovation Solution
The vent pipe system features self-aligning male and female end portions with external flanges, allowing for easy coupling using lower temperature adhesives or sealants, and utilizes a V-band for clamping, eliminating the need for high-temperature materials and reducing the complexity of the connection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling methods with flanges, V-bands, and high-temperature sealants are used, then the connection can withstand high temperatures, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing location from the inner pipe (exposed to 2000° F.) to the outer pipe (at lower temperature). This parameter change allows using lower-temperature sealants while maintaining sealing effectiveness, thereby simplifying the assembly process and improving productivity without sacrificing high-temperature resistance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by sealing at the outer pipe flange connection rather than directly at the inner pipe. This intermediary location serves as a cooler zone that mediates between the high-temperature inner pipe and the external environment, enabling the use of simpler sealants and faster assembly methods.
2Reliability
If multiple components (flanges, V-bands, insulating material, outer bands) are used for coupling, then the connection is secure and insulated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the complex multi-component assembly and concentrates it at the outer pipe flange connection. By taking out the sealing requirement from the inner pipe assembly and placing it at the outer pipe, the design eliminates the need for separate V-bands, insulating material placement, and outer band clamping, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (sealing, insulation, and structural connection) into a single flange connection point at the outer pipe. Instead of having separate components for each function, the design combines them at one location, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If sealants and gaskets are placed on inner pipe flanges, then sealing is achieved, but high-temperature materials are required which are difficult to work with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing the sealant on the outer pipe flange rather than the inner pipe flange. This inversion moves the sealing location to a cooler, more accessible area that is easier to work with during assembly, while still achieving effective sealing through the flange connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pipe flange connection serves itself as the sealing location, eliminating the need for separate sealing components or complex high-temperature material application procedures. The design allows the flange connection to provide both structural support and sealing functionality in a straightforward manner.
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 solution reduces the time required to form vent piping, eliminates the need for high-temperature sealants, and simplifies the assembly process by allowing self-alignment and sealing at the outer pipe casings, while using only a V-band for connection, thereby improving efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating material 16 there-between, as for example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner pipe casing of each pipe is formed such that it is longer than the outer pipe casing such that a portion 18 of the inner pipe casing extends beyond the outer pipe casing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vent pipe and system formed from such vent pipes is provided. The vent pipe includes an inner casing, an outer casing surrounding the inner casing, and an insulation material between the inner and outer casings. The vent pipe also includes, a male end portion, a female and portion for receiving a male end portion end of another vent pipe, the female end portion being opposite the male end portion. The vent pipe further includes a first flange extending from the male end portion, and a second flange extending from the female end portion for mating with the first external extending from the male portion of another vent pipe.