Patent Application
20130300104
Some industrial elbows are casted metal or alloy in fixed sizes, e.g., in a variety of center line radius and wall thicknesses. By way of example, these elbows have a center line radius that is an industry standard such as 1× the diameter, 1.5× the diameter, and 2× the diameter etc. They are conventionally available in 90 and 45 fixed degree angles only. When a 65 degree elbow is needed, one must purchase a 90 degree elbow, and saw, cut or torch cut the 90 degree elbow to the desired degree. This process is time consuming and requires an experienced mechanic in the pipe fitting trade.
Alternatively, these elbows can be made from segments of a round pipe and/or flat mild steel plates/sheets. These types of elbows are also manufactured according to the standardized center line radius. The segments of a round pipe can be stacked and welded together to achieve the desired degree. These elbows are usually lined with a wear resistant material such as alumina oxide ceramic tile, tungsten carbide, monolithic moldings, abrasion resistant metal, silica carbide, etc. Usually, an engineering firm or fabrication shop sends an individual on site to measure the degree of the elbow so the made one to fit in the field. However, the degrees of the elbows are fixed and un-adjustable.
Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing adjustable elbows.
According to one embodiment, the adjustable elbow includes a first section, and a second section telescopically fitted into the first section to adjust an angle of the elbow.
According to one embodiment, a method is provided for installing the adjustable elbow.
According to one embodiment, a method is provided for manufacturing the adjustable elbow.
Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:
Examples of adjustable elbows and methods for using the same are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.
As used herein, the term elbow refers to a pipe fitting installed between two lengths of pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction. Elbows may be used to adapt to different sizes or shapes, and for other purposes, such as regulating or measuring fluid flow. Although various embodiments are described with respect to a change of direction of 45-90 degrees, it is contemplated that the approach described herein may be used with a change of direction of other degree (e.g., 22.5°).
The elbow 100 is adjustable in a range of degrees, e.g., 22.5-90 degrees. In some embodiments, the elbow 100 is manufactured are made in a variety of industrial standard sizes, such as center line radius and wall thicknesses. In some embodiments, the elbow 100 is manufactured are made in a variety of custom sizes to fit special needs, such as for a laboratory facility.
In one embodiment, the elbow 100 is installed as follows. Initially, the two sections of the elbow 100 are engaged with each other in 45 degree as shown in
As another example,
Thereafter, the bolts 119 in the flange 111 are tightened to compress the gaskets 117 and seal around the elbow. In this manner, a desired degree is reached and the pipe line is back in use quickly.
In some embodiments, the elbows (e.g., 100) are manufactured out of mild steel plates, while the other elbows (e.g., 900) are manufactured out of, e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC). By way of example, the upper section 101 includes a square box section 121 and a pipe section 123. A mild steel plate is made into the square box section 121 with inside dimensions matching the inside diameter of the pipe section 123 (e.g., of 4″-36″ diameter). The pipe section 123 can be mated to the square box section 121 with a flat plate 125 welded to both the pipe section 123 and the square box section 121. The lower section 103 includes a square box section 127, a square-to-round transition/reducer 129 and a pipe section 131. The square box section 127 is mated to the pipe section 131 by the square-to-round transition 129 fabricated out of a mild steel flat plate. The square-to-round transition 129 also serves to transition the flow of material through the box portion of the elbow 100 back into the round pipeline with a smoother and less turbulent flow to minimum wear and tear to the elbow 100 and the pipeline. Using a flat plate (rather than such a transition piece) to mate the box portion of the elbow back to the pipe portion will restrict flow and cases a high wear and tear at the joint.
The pipe section 123 and the pipe section 131 are short pieces of a round pipe sized to a customer's needs. They can be manufactured to have a standard or non standard plain end or flange connection for coupling.
In one embodiment, the elbow 400 is lined with the various liners to match inside diameters of existing pipes. The elbow 400 can be made of plastic, copper, cast iron, steel, lead, etc. The liners can be made of a wear resistant material such as alumina oxide ceramic tile, tungsten carbide, monolithic moldings, abrasion resistant metal, silica carbide, etc.
By way of example, the upper section 401 includes a square box section 421 and a pipe section 423. A mild steel plate is made into the square box section 421 with inside dimensions matching the inside diameter of the pipe section 423 (e.g., of 4″-36″ diameter). The pipe section 423 can be mated to the square box section 421 with a flat plate 425 welded to both the pipe section 423 and the square box section 421. The lower section 403 includes a square box section 427, a square-to-round transition/reducer 429 and a pipe section 431. The square box section 427 is mated to the pipe section 431 by the square-to-round transition 429 fabricated out of a mild steel flat plate. The square-to-round transition 429 also serves to transition the flow of material through the box portion of the elbow 400 back into the round pipeline with a smoother and less turbulent flow to minimum wear and tear to the elbow 400 and the pipeline. Using a flat plate (rather than such a transition piece) to mate the box portion of the elbow back to the pipe portion will restrict flow and cases a high wear and tear at the joint.
In one embodiment, the elbow 400 is installed as follows. Initially, the two sections of the elbow 100 are engaged with each other at about 45 degrees as shown in
As another example,
By way of example, the upper section 701 includes a tubular section 721 and a tubular section 723. A mild steel plate is made into the tubular section 721 with inside dimensions matching the inside diameter of the tubular section 723 (e.g., of 4″-36″ diameter). The tubular section 723 can be mated to the tubular section 721 with a flat plate 725. The tubular section 721 is welded to both the flat plate 713 and the flat plate 725. The lower section 703 includes a tubular section 727, a transition/reducer 729 and a tubular section 731. The tubular section 727 is mated to the tubular section 731 by the transition 729 fabricated out of a mild steel round pipe or tubing. The transition 729 also serves to transition the flow of material through the tubular portion of the elbow 700 back into the round pipeline with a smoother and less turbulent flow to minimum wear and tear to the elbow 700 and the pipeline. Using a flat plate (rather than such a transition piece) to mate the box portion of the elbow back to the pipe portion will restrict flow and cases a high wear and tear at the joint.
In one embodiment, the elbow 700 is lined with the various liners to match inside diameters of existing pipes. The elbow 700 can be made of plastic, copper, cast iron, steel, lead, etc. The liners can be made of a wear resistant material such as alumina oxide ceramic tile, tungsten carbide, monolithic moldings, abrasion resistant metal, silica carbide, etc.
In one embodiment, the elbow 700 is installed as follows. Initially, the two sections of the elbow 700 are engaged with each other in 45 degree as shown in
As another example,
In another embodiment, the elbow 1000 is installed as follows. Initially, the tubular sections of the elbow 1000 are engaged with each other in 45 degree as shown in
The elbow 1000 is made of PVC plastic pipes, plastic molded pipes, or a combination thereof. The elbow 1000 includes an upper section 1001 and a lower section 1003.
By way of example, the upper section 1001 includes a tubular section 1011 and a tubular section 1013. The PVC tubular section 1011 has a diameter matching the inside diameter of the PVC tubular section 1013 (e.g., of 2″-36″ diameter). The tubular section 1013 can be coupled to the tubular section 1011 with an adaptor cap 1015 threaded to the external thread 1017 of the tubular section 1013. A tubular section 1017 of the lower section 1003 is connected with a tubular section 1021 via a (e.g., 3″-to-2″) transition/reducer 1023. The transition/reducer 1023 serves to transition the flow of material through the tubular section 1017 of the elbow 1000 back into the tubular section 1021 with a smoother and less turbulent flow to minimum wear and tear to the elbow 1000 and the 2″ pipeline.
In one embodiment, the upper section (e.g., 101) of the elbow (e.g., 100) is connected to a feed end of the pipeline, while the lower section (e.g., 103) is connected to a discharge end of the pipeline. In another embodiment, at least one of the upper section and the lower section has a square-to-round transition/reducer to adjust the flow speed and/or to create a turbine of the liquid/material transferred there through.
In one embodiment, the upper section is connected to a discharge end of the pipeline, while the lower section is connected to a feed end of the pipeline. In another embodiment, at least one of the upper section and the lower section has a square to round transition to adjust the flow speed and/or to create a turbine of the liquid/material transferred there through.
The elbows can be used in industries deploying pipe lines to transporting fluid (e.g., water), gas, waste, etc. in ordinary domestic or commercial environments, such as coal processing industrial pipeline networks, power generation industrial pipeline networks, pulp and paper industrial pipeline networks, powder and bulk industrial pipeline networks, public service authorities pipeline networks, water treatment plants, water supply facilities, food industrial pipeline networks, chemical industrial pipeline networks, electronic industrial pipeline networks, air conditioning facility pipeline, agriculture and garden production transporting system, pipeline network for solar energy facility, etc. The piping may support high-performance, e.g., high pressure, high flow, high temperature, hazardous materials in specialized applications.
In certain embodiments, the above-described pipe system can be telescopically engaged an upper section with a lower section along a central line to provide a desired degree of elbow along a central pivot point.
Also, the system can be adapted to different styles and designs for various industrial, commercial, and/or residential demands, while avoiding hiring an engineering firm or fabrication company to measure and fit an elbow, or measuring or cutting a steel cast elbow.
Each new model of adjustable elbows (with various pipe diameters, flange thicknesses, gasket types, etc.) can be pressure tested (e.g., 150% of the target field pressure) for planned field conditions prior to field installation. The flanges and bolted/welded connections can be designed and customized for the planned pressure applications, considering the variability in pipe sizes, elbow angles, pressure conditions, corrosion potentials, types of pipe lining, etc.
By way of example, the adjustable elbow can be customized for the pipe industry as well as the lined pipe industry. Therefore, multiple variations of pipe sizes (e.g., box, tubular, etc.) and flanges are provided. Air pressure testing can be conducted to adapt and/or ensure that the adjustable elbow functions in pressurized piping application, such as gravity flow systems, pressurized piping applications, etc.
Before deploying the adjustable elbow, testing can be performed by placing blank flanges on each end of the elbow. One of the blank flanges can be fitted to an air compressor line to allow the elbow to be filled with compressed air. The elbow may be separated at a transverse central line (i.e., an adjustment point) at certain air pressure load (e.g., 40 psi) due to inadequate end restraint for the elbow. Adequate end restraint is used to prevent movement at the transverse central line.
By way of example, initial testing was performed on the elbow 400 using a rubber gasket with a hardness of 80 durometers, which determined that the gasket material of softer rubber seals better. As another example, the ends of the elbow 700 were restrained using chains to prevent the elbow from separating at the adjustment point. The chain restraints serve to simulate the restraint provided by attaching the elbow ends to adjacent restrained tubular sections. The elbow 700 was then tested using a rubber gasket with a hardness of 40 durometers rubber gasket material. Air pressure testing started with a test pressure of 40 psi; at a test pressure of approximately 50 psi, minor movements occurred in the elbow 700 as the chain restraints were placed in tension. This movement stopped once the chain restraints were mobilized. The pressure was then increased to 80 psi to determine if bleed-off will occur. Bleeding did not occur for a period of approximately two hours under 80 psi. In a separate test, the pressure was increased to 90 psi for 90 minutes, and breeding did not occur.
While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/640,228, filed Apr. 30, 2012; the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61640228 | Apr 2012 | US |
