Welding Ring Preheating for Tight Fit in Pipe Sealing Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of a welding ring onto a pipe with an external sealing groove is challenging due to the ring's rigidity and the pipe's slightly larger diameter at the end, making it difficult to secure without gaps, especially for larger pipes.
Innovation Solution
Preheating the welding ring by connecting its resistance wire to an electric power source to increase its diameter, allowing easier installation into the sealing groove, followed by cooling and shrinking back to fit securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed welding ring is used, then the bond strength and sealing are improved, but the installation difficulty increases due to rigidity and pipe diameter variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the welding ring to change its physical state. The ring transitions from a rigid state at ambient temperature to a more flexible state when heated, allowing it to be installed on pipes with varying diameters. After installation, the ring cools and returns to its original rigid state, providing the necessary bond strength and sealing.
2Ease of operation
If an open loop welding ring is used, then the installation ease is improved, but the device complexity and potential for installation errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the welding ring before installation. This prepares the ring in advance to achieve the desired diameter expansion, making the installation process simpler and more reliable. The ring is heated to a temperature that allows it to expand and fit over the pipe end, then it cools and contracts to form a secure bond.
3Strength
If the welding ring material is kept rigid at ambient temperature, then the bond strength is improved, but the installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal expansion by heating the welding ring to expand its diameter for installation. The ring material expands when heated, allowing it to be placed over the pipe end. After cooling, the ring contracts to provide a tight fit and strong bond, combining the benefits of ease of installation with strong bonding capability.
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
Facilitates easy and secure installation of the welding ring onto larger pipes by expanding the ring during preheating, ensuring a tight fit without gaps after cooling.
Implementation Method 1
connecting the ends of the at least one resistance wire (8) of the welding ring to an electric power source (7) in order provide a current to heat the welding ring
Implementation Method 2
The welding ring is preheated prior to the step of setting of the welding ring into the sealing groove
Data Source
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AI summary
Installation method for a welding ring (2), comprising the steps: · providing a first (3) and a second pipe arranged to be joined together coaxially such that one end of the second pipe surrounds one end of the first pipe (3) · preheating and setting a welding ring (2) having a body and at least one resistance wire wound around the body and being encased by a plastic sheath, into a sealing groove (5) on the outside of the first pipe (3), · assembling one end of the second pipe onto the end of the first pipe (3) equipped with the welding ring (2) and · connecting the ends (6) of the at least one resistance wire of the welding ring (2) to an electrical power source (7) in order provide a current to heat the welding ring (2) and achieve a material bond of the welding ring (2) with the surrounding pipe walls.