TWI894709B - Rigid sealed geothermal pipe with elastic structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A rigid sealed geothermal pipe with elastic structure is disclosed and included a ferrule, an elastic structure, a first pipe and a second pipe. The resiliently rigid joint seal is formed by the elastic contact of one of the two first elastic elements disposed between a first external threaded section of the first pipe and a first internal threaded section of an outer sleeve of the ferrule, the elastic contact of the other of the two first elastic elements disposed between a second external thread section of the second pipe and a second internal thread section of the outer sleeve, the elastic contact of between the second elastic element and the first pipe, and the elastic contact of between the second elastic element and the second pipe.

Description

Rigid sealing tube with elastic structure

The present invention relates to a tube structure. In particular, it relates to a rigid sealed tube with an elastic structure.

In general, large-sized metal pipe fittings are designed with threads of different slopes on the male thread of the pipe end and the female thread of the ferrule to ensure secure alignment when connected with the ferrule. However, after locking, some threads are exposed at the interface, which can become a starting point for damage in harsh environments.

Most pipes are sealed using soft O-rings, which can become brittle over time or be neglected during installation, leading to fluid leakage.

To address the aforementioned issues of the prior art, the present invention discloses a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure. The elastic structure, made of a corrosion-resistant alloy, comprises two first elastic elements with a continuous S-shaped cross-section and a second elastic element with an M-shaped cross-section. These elements are positioned at four sealing points between the tube and the ferrule, achieving a resilient, rigid sealing effect. This improves the problem of fluid leakage caused by the embrittlement of soft materials such as O-rings in conventional sealing systems due to long-term use or due to inadvertent installation.

The present invention discloses a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure, comprising a ferrule made of an acid-resistant rigid material, having a wedge-shaped ring and an outer sleeve, wherein the wedge-shaped ring is arranged on an inner surface of the outer sleeve, and the inner surface of the outer sleeve has a first internal thread section and a second internal thread section at both ends; an elastic structure made of an acid-resistant rigid material, comprising two first elastic elements and a second elastic element , the second elastic element is arranged in the wedge-shaped ring; a first pipe is made of an acid-resistant rigid material, and one end of an outer surface of the first pipe has a first external thread section toward its center. The first external thread section of the first pipe is inserted into the outer sleeve and is screwed and fixed with the first internal thread section until the first pipe is elastically contacted with the second elastic element corresponding to the end of the first pipe. One of the elastic elements is disposed between the first external thread section of the first pipe and the first internal thread section of the outer sleeve and is located at an end of the outer sleeve away from the first pipe and against the end side of the second elastic element; and a second pipe is made of an acid-resistant rigid material, and one end of an outer surface of the second pipe has a second external thread section toward its center. The threaded segment is inserted into the outer sleeve and threadedly fixed with the second internal threaded segment until the second pipe abuts against the second elastic element and elastically contacts an end side of the second pipe. The other of the two first elastic elements is arranged between the second external threaded segment of the second pipe and the second internal threaded segment of the outer sleeve and is located at an end of the outer sleeve away from the end side of the second pipe abutting against the second elastic element. One of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the first externally threaded section of the first pipe and the first internally threaded section of the outer sleeve, the other of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the second externally threaded section of the second pipe and the second internally threaded section of the outer sleeve, and elastic contact is established between the second elastic element and the first pipe, as well as between the second elastic element and the second pipe, to form an elastically rigid joint seal.

In some embodiments, each of the first elastic elements is a coiled spring.

In some embodiments, a cross-section of each of the first elastic elements is a continuous S-shape.

In some embodiments, the second elastic element is a U-shaped tube.

In some embodiments, a cross-section of the second elastic element is M-shaped.

In some embodiments, the bottom portions of both sides of the M-shaped cross-section of the second elastic element each form a stopper facing outward.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the end of the first tube corresponding to the second elastic element abuts the corresponding stopper of the second elastic element; and the bottom of the end of the second tube corresponding to the second elastic element abuts the corresponding stopper of the second elastic element.

In some embodiments, a slope is formed at the connection between the wedge ring and the outer sleeve.

In some embodiments, the first tube, the second tube, and the ferrule are made of the same acid-resistant rigid material. The acid-resistant rigid material includes a titanium alloy and a composite material composited with a non-acid-resistant material. The non-acid-resistant material includes carbon steel.

In some embodiments, the wedge-shaped ring tapers from the first tube toward the second tube, such that a thickness of the wedge-shaped ring gradually decreases from the first tube toward the second tube.

The above has broadly outlined the technical features and advantages of the present disclosure to facilitate a better understanding of the detailed description of the present disclosure set forth below. Other technical features and advantages that constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure are described below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts and specific embodiments disclosed below can be readily utilized to modify or design other structures or processes to achieve the same objectives as those of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended patent claims.

100: Rigid sealing tube with elastic structure

1: Ferrule

11: Wedge Ring

12: Outer sleeve

121: First internal thread segment

122: Second internal thread segment

13: Incline

14: Outer covering

2: First pipe material

21: First external thread segment

3: Second pipe

31: Second external thread segment

4: First elastic element

5: Second elastic element

51: Limiting part

L: Horizontal line

θ: Angle

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second elastic element in a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first elastic element including an elastic structure in a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The following is a detailed description of the specific implementation of the present invention in conjunction with specific situations.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a second elastic element comprising an elastic structure within a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first elastic element comprising an elastic structure within a rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the elastically rigid sealing tube 100 of the present invention includes a ferrule 1, an elastic structure, a first tube 2, and a second tube 3.

The ferrule 1 comprises a wedge-shaped ring 11 and an outer sleeve 12. The wedge-shaped ring 11 is positioned at a predetermined location on the inner surface of the outer sleeve 12, preferably at the center. A bevel 13 is formed at the junction of the wedge-shaped ring 11 and the outer sleeve 12. In some embodiments, the bevel 13 forms an angle θ with a horizontal line L, and the angle θ ranges from 5 to 45 degrees. Preferably, the angle θ ranges from 10 to 30 degrees. Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer sleeve 12 has a first internally threaded section 121 and a second internally threaded section 122 at each end, respectively. Due to the significant size difference between the wedge-shaped ring 11 and the outer sleeve 12, if they were integrally formed, significant scrap would be generated, increasing costs. Therefore, the present invention manufactures the wedge-shaped ring 11 and the outer sleeve 2 separately, thereby reducing scrap and, consequently, lowering costs. Furthermore, the beveled surface 13 on the wedge-shaped ring 11 limits the position of the first and second tubes 2, 3, after they are threaded together with the ferrule 1, preventing over-threading.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the elastic structure is made of an acid-resistant rigid material and includes two first elastic elements 4 and a second elastic element 5 . The second elastic element 5 is disposed within a wedge-shaped ring 11 . In some embodiments, the two first elastic elements 4 are wound elastic sheets, respectively sleeved between the ends of the wedge-shaped ring 11 and the first and second tubes 2 and 3 . Each first elastic element 4 has a continuous S-shaped cross-section. In some embodiments, the second elastic element 5 is a U-shaped tube, and its cross-section is M-shaped. In some embodiments, the bottom of each side of the M-shaped cross-section of the second elastic element 5 forms a stopper 51 facing outward.

The first tube 2 has a first externally threaded section 21 on one outer surface. This section 21 is inserted into the outer sleeve 12 and threadedly secured to the first internally threaded section 121 until the first tube 2 elastically contacts the end of the second elastic element 5 corresponding to the first tube 2. In some embodiments, the bottom of the end of the first tube 2 corresponding to the second elastic element 5 contacts the stop 51 of the second elastic element 5, thereby forming a resilient seal with a rigid material. Simultaneously, one of the first elastic elements 4 is tightly positioned between the first internally threaded section 121 and the first externally threaded section 21, at the end of the ferrule 1 facing toward the first tube 2 and away from the wedge-shaped ring 11, thereby forming a resilient seal with a rigid material. Preferably, the first elastic element 4 is tightly disposed at the outermost three thread sections between the first internal thread section 121 and the first external thread section 21.

One end of an outer surface of the second tubular member 3 has a second externally threaded section 31 extending in series toward its center. The second externally threaded section 31 of the second tubular member 3 is inserted into the outer sleeve 12 and threadedly secured to the second internally threaded section 122 until the second tubular member 3 elastically contacts the side of the second elastic member 5 corresponding to the end of the second tubular member 3. In some embodiments, the bottom of the end of the second tubular member 3 corresponding to the second elastic member 5 contacts the stopper 51 of the second elastic member 5, thereby forming a resilient seal with the rigid material. At the same time, another first elastic element 4 is tightly positioned between the second internally threaded section 122 and the second externally threaded section 31, located at the end of the ferrule 1 facing the second pipe 3 and away from the wedge-shaped ring 11, thereby forming a resilient seal with the rigid material. Preferably, the first elastic element 4 is tightly positioned between the second internally threaded section 122 and the second externally threaded section 31, along the outermost three thread sections.

Referring back to Figure 1 , in some embodiments, the wedge-shaped ring 11 tapers from the first tube 2 toward the second tube 3 . This means that the longitudinal cross-section of the inclined surface 13 of the wedge-shaped ring 11 gradually tilts toward the inner axis of the first tube 2 and/or the second tube 3 , resulting in a gradually decreasing thickness of the wedge-shaped ring 11 from the first tube 2 toward the second tube 3 .

In some embodiments, the first tube 2, the second tube 3, and the ferrule 1 are made of the same acid-resistant material. The acid-resistant material mentioned above includes, but is not limited to, titanium alloy and a composite material with a non-acid-resistant material, such as carbon steel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 may be made of a multi-layer composite material. Each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 includes an inner lining layer, a carbon steel layer, and an outer cladding layer. The inner lining layer is applied to an inner surface of the carbon steel layer, and the outer cladding layer is applied to an outer surface of the carbon steel layer. The inner lining layer is made of titanium, and the outer cladding layer is made of an acid-resistant material. Thus, the inner lining layer and the outer cladding layer protect the carbon steel layer, thereby enhancing the carbon steel layer's resistance to acid and corrosion.

Referring to Figure 1 , in some embodiments, the outer sleeve 12 of the ferrule 1 may include an outer coating 14 . The outer coating 14 is disposed on an outer surface of the outer sleeve 12 , while the wedge-shaped ring 11 is disposed on an inner surface of the outer sleeve 12 . The outer coating 14 is made of an acid-resistant material, and the wedge-shaped ring 11 is also made of an acid-resistant material. In some embodiments, the two first elastic elements 4 are connected to the ends of the outer coating 14 , respectively. Preferably, the two first elastic elements 4 are welded to the ends of the outer coating 14 to secure the two first elastic elements 4 . Thus, the outer coating 14 and the wedge-shaped ring 11 provide protection, thereby enhancing the acid and corrosion resistance of the wedge-shaped ring 11 and the outer sleeve 12 .

According to the above structure, the first tube 2 presses against the end side of the second elastic element 5 corresponding to the first tube 2 and the bottom of the first tube 2 corresponding to the end of the second elastic element 5 presses against the limiting portion 51 of the second elastic element 5, the second tube 3 presses against the end side of the second elastic element 5 corresponding to the second tube 3 and the bottom of the second tube 3 corresponding to the end of the second elastic element 5 presses against the limiting portion 51 of the second elastic element 5, and one of the first elastic Element 4 is tightly disposed between the first internally threaded section 121 and the first externally threaded section 21 at the end of the ferrule 1 facing the first pipe 2 and away from the wedge-shaped ring 11. Another first elastic element 4 is tightly disposed between the second internally threaded section 122 and the second externally threaded section 31 at the end of the ferrule 1 facing the second pipe 3 and away from the wedge-shaped ring 11, thereby forming a four-point joint and elastically sealing with a rigid material. Thus, the elastically structured rigid sealing tube 100 of the present invention is designed to withstand strong acidic environments. It utilizes a first elastic element 4 and a second elastic element 5 to create a four-point joint between the ferrule 1 (rigid material), the first tube 2 (rigid material), and the second tube 3 (rigid material), thereby elastically sealing with the rigid material. This improves the problem of fluid leakage caused by the embrittlement of soft materials such as O-rings over time or their failure to be installed due to inadvertent installation in conventional systems.

100: Rigid sealing tube with elastic structure 1: Ferrule 11: Wedge-shaped ring 12: Outer sleeve 121: First internal thread segment 122: Second internal thread segment 13: Inclined surface 14: Outer covering 2: First pipe 21: First external thread segment 3: Second pipe 31: Second external thread segment 4: First elastic element 5: Second elastic element 51: Limiting portion L: Horizontal line θ: Angle

Claims (10)

A rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure comprises: A ferrule made of an acid-resistant rigid material, comprising a wedge-shaped ring and an outer sleeve, the wedge-shaped ring being disposed on an inner surface of the outer sleeve, the inner surface of the outer sleeve having a first internal thread segment and a second internal thread segment at each end; An elastic structure made of an acid-resistant rigid material, comprising two first elastic elements and a second elastic element, the second elastic element being disposed within the wedge-shaped ring; A first pipe made of an acid-resistant rigid material, having a first externally threaded section on one end of an outer surface of the first pipe toward its center. The first externally threaded section of the first pipe is inserted into the outer sleeve and threadedly secured to the first internally threaded section until the first pipe elastically contacts the second elastic element corresponding to one end of the first pipe. One of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the first externally threaded section of the first pipe and the first internally threaded section of the outer sleeve and is located at an end of the outer sleeve away from the end of the first pipe contacting the second elastic element; and A second pipe made of an acid-resistant rigid material, having a second externally threaded section on one end of an outer surface of the second pipe toward its center. The second externally threaded section of the second pipe is inserted into the outer sleeve and threadedly secured to the second internally threaded section until the second pipe elastically contacts the second elastic element corresponding to one end of the second pipe. The other of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the second externally threaded section of the second pipe and the second internally threaded section of the outer sleeve and is located at an end of the outer sleeve away from the end of the second pipe contacting the second elastic element. One of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the first externally threaded section of the first pipe and the first internally threaded section of the outer sleeve, the other of the two first elastic elements is disposed between the second externally threaded section of the second pipe and the second internally threaded section of the outer sleeve, and the second elastic element is in elastic contact with the first and second pipes to form an elastically rigid joint seal. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first elastic elements is a wound spring. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein a cross section of each of the first elastic elements is a continuous S-shape. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second elastic element is a U-shaped tube. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the second elastic element is M-shaped. As described in claim 5, the rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure, wherein the bottom of both sides of the M-shaped cross-section of the second elastic element form a limiting portion facing outward. A rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 6, wherein the bottom of the end of the first tube corresponding to the second elastic element presses against the corresponding limiting portion of the second elastic element; and the bottom of the end of the second tube corresponding to the second elastic element presses against the corresponding limiting portion of the second elastic element. The rigid sealing tube with elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein a slope is formed at the connection between the wedge ring and the outer sleeve. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the ferrule are made of the same acid-resistant rigid material, the acid-resistant rigid material includes a titanium alloy material and a composite material compounded with a non-acid-resistant material, the non-acid-resistant material includes carbon steel. The rigid sealing tube with an elastic structure as described in claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped ring tapers from the first tube toward the second tube, so that a thickness of the wedge-shaped ring gradually decreases from the first tube toward the second tube.