Wedge-Cone Pipe Gripper With Spring Balls for Damage-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe gripping systems for applications in refineries, petro-chemical plants, and power plants face challenges in securely gripping pipes with varying diameters and geometries, often causing damage or requiring high forces, and lack efficient mechanisms for secure connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A gripping apparatus featuring a wedge cone design with discrete gripping devices, such as balls or rollers, that are spring-actuated to grip the pipe inner diameter, providing a transition surface to reduce sharp transitions and prevent damage, and a collective actuation-retraction mechanism for secure engagement and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional gripping systems are used to securely grip pipes, then high gripping forces can be achieved, but the pipe inner surface is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping devices use spherical balls instead of sharp-edged components. These balls contact the pipe inner surface at point contacts rather than line or area contacts, distributing the gripping force and preventing surface damage while maintaining secure grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition surface radius parameter is specifically designed to be less than or equal to the pipe inside radius. This parameter control ensures that the gripping balls contact the pipe at optimal points, achieving high gripping force without damaging the pipe surface.
2Reliability
If gripping devices with sharp transitions are used, then secure gripping is achieved, but the pipe inner surface is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The transition surface is designed with a curved profile rather than sharp edges. This curvature allows the gripping balls to approach and contact the pipe surface smoothly, ensuring reliable gripping while preventing mechanical damage to the pipe inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition surface acts as a cushioning element that gradually guides the gripping balls onto the pipe surface. This pre-cushioning prevents sudden impact and sharp transitions that would cause surface damage, while still achieving secure gripping.
3Reliability
If conventional gripping systems are used, then gripping capability is achieved, but connection and disconnection require high forces and complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically pushes the gripping balls against the pipe inner surface, creating self-gripping action. For disconnection, simply pulling the plug axially causes the balls to ride up the transition surface and disengage automatically, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping system transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic spring-actuated system. The springs provide continuous force to maintain gripping, while the axial movement dynamically controls engagement and disengagement, simplifying operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If gripping devices are designed to grip varying pipe diameters, then versatility is improved, but gripping precision and force distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of spherical gripping balls and a transition surface with radius less than or equal to the pipe inside radius creates a universal gripping mechanism that adapts to various pipe diameters while maintaining precise point contact and consistent gripping force distribution.
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 apparatus ensures secure gripping and connection of pipes without damaging the inner surface, allowing for high gripping forces and easy operation, with the ability to instantly grip and release, enhancing safety and maintenance processes in industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius
Implementation Method 2
The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve may have a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a coating on the outer surface; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.