Compression Pipe Fitting Structure for Wide-Diameter Gasket Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression pipe fittings fail to maintain a seal and properly restrain gaskets when connecting pipes of varying diameters, leading to leaks and undesirable pipe movement, as the grip ring may not engage the pipe and the rubber gasket can escape, especially when smaller diameter pipes are installed with fittings intended for larger diameters.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile compression fitting design featuring a tubular support body with a central section and end sections of different diameters, a transition surface, and a movable nut that biases the gasket radially inward, along with a grip ring and blocking member to prevent gasket unloading and leaks, accommodating a wide range of pipe diameters while maintaining a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a grip ring and rubber gasket are used in a compression fitting for a specific pipe diameter, then the fitting can properly seal and restrain the pipe, but the fitting cannot accommodate pipes of different diameters and the gasket may escape when smaller pipes are installed
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into a central body section with a first diameter and end sections with a second diameter, creating distinct zones that can accommodate different pipe diameters. This segmentation allows the fitting to adapt to a range of pipe sizes while maintaining proper gasket retention through the blocking member that prevents gasket escape in the gap between the central body section and smaller pipes
Solution Approach 2:
A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary element between the gasket and the gap formed by smaller diameter pipes and the central body section. This blocking member prevents the gasket from escaping the fitting when smaller pipes are installed, thereby maintaining seal integrity across different pipe diameters without requiring oversized gaskets
2Reliability
If oversized gaskets are used to prevent escape from the fitting, then the gasket is less likely to escape, but the fitting becomes physically larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The problem of gasket escape is extracted from the gasket itself and addressed by a separate blocking member. Instead of enlarging the gasket to prevent escape, the blocking member is introduced to specifically address the escape path through the gap, allowing the use of appropriately sized gaskets for each pipe diameter while preventing escape mechanically
3Stability of the object's composition
If the grip ring does not engage the pipe properly, then the pipe can move undesirably, but using a larger grip ring to accommodate smaller pipes causes the gasket to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member serves as an intermediary that resolves the conflict between grip ring engagement and gasket retention. It prevents gasket escape in the gap created when smaller pipes are used with a grip ring designed for larger pipes, thereby maintaining both pipe stability through proper grip ring engagement and gasket seal integrity
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 solution effectively prevents gasket unloading and leaks, ensuring a secure seal across a range of pipe diameters by radially biasing the gasket inward and blocking any gaps between the pipe and the fitting, thus maintaining the desired seal and preventing pipe movement.
Implementation Method 1
a movable nut that biases the gasket radially inward
Implementation Method 2
a grip ring and blocking member to prevent gasket unloading and leaks
Data Source
AI summary
Compression fittings for pipes having a range of diameters, including a support body with a central section between end sections, the central section having a smaller diameter than the end sections, with a transition surface between the central section and each end section. A gasket fits over a pipe and engages one of the support body end section end surfaces. A fitting nut is movable axially over the support body to draw the support body and the gasket together in the axial direction and bias the gasket radially inward against the pipe. A grip ring encircles the pipe at one gasket end and has a surface engaging the fitting nut whereby the fitting nut biases the grip ring radially inwardly toward the pipe. An insert adapter has a hub with a radially extending flange may block the other gasket end to load the gasket between its axial ends.