High-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure

Abstract

This invention provides a high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure, including a fixing bracket, a clamping assembly, an elastic compensator, and an adjusting component. The clamping assembly includes a mounting block and a ring for surrounding and securing the gas cylinder; one end of the elastic compensator abuts against the fixing bracket, and the other end abuts against the mounting block; the adjusting component is connected to the fixing bracket and passes through the elastic compensator to adjust its initial compression. The clamping assembly is floatingly mounted on the fixing bracket via the elastic compensator, and the compression of the elastic compensator changes accordingly with the circumferential expansion or contraction of the gas cylinder to provide a continuous clamping force. This invention converts the tension generated by the expansion of the gas cylinder into compression of the elastic compensator, avoiding the cumulative plastic deformation caused by repeated tensile stress on the metal matrix. Therefore, while simplifying the structure and ensuring torsional resistance, it significantly improves the service life and clamping reliability of the fixing structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pressure vessel fixing technology, and in particular to a high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure. Background Technology

[0002] High-pressure gas cylinders typically refer to pressure vessels with a nominal working pressure of 10 MPa or higher. They have a large length-to-diameter ratio and are widely used in various industrial, energy, and transportation systems. To ensure safe use, a circumferential fixing structure is necessary to prevent the cylinders from tipping over or shifting during operation. Currently, metal clamp structures are commonly used for circumferential fixing of high-pressure gas cylinders.

[0003] An ideal clamp structure must ensure reliable fastening of gas cylinders under both empty (unfilled) and fully loaded (filled to nominal working pressure) extreme conditions. However, after high-pressure gas cylinders are filled and pressurized, their cylinder bodies undergo significant elastic expansion deformation in the circumferential direction. This circumferential expansion directly acts on the clamp structure, causing circumferential tensile stress in the clamp. If the clamp lacks an effective compensation mechanism, repeated expansion and contraction may cause plastic deformation of the clamp material or even structural damage, ultimately leading to failure of the fastening function and posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this invention is as follows:

[0005] This invention provides a high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure, comprising:

[0006] A mounting bracket is used to determine the installation position of the clamping assembly and provide support.

[0007] A clamping assembly, comprising a mounting block and a ring band fixedly connected to the mounting block, the ring band being used to surround and secure a high-pressure gas cylinder.

[0008] An elastic compensating member, one end of which abuts against the fixed bracket, and the other end of which abuts against the mounting block of the clamping assembly; and,

[0009] An adjusting member, which is connected to the fixed bracket and passes through the elastic compensator, is used to adjust the initial compression of the elastic compensator.

[0010] The clamping assembly is floatingly mounted on the fixed bracket via the elastic compensator. The compression of the elastic compensator changes accordingly with the circumferential expansion or contraction of the high-pressure gas cylinder to provide a continuous clamping force.

[0011] This invention transforms the stretching caused by the expansion of the gas cylinder into the compression of the elastic compensator, avoiding the cumulative plastic deformation caused by repeated tensile stress on the metal matrix. Thus, while simplifying the structure and ensuring torsional resistance, it significantly improves the service life and fastening reliability of the fixing structure.

[0012] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] To address the aforementioned technical problems, existing technologies primarily offer two solutions. The first solution employs an integrated clamp without compensation, relying entirely on the elastic deformation of the clamp's material to accommodate cylinder expansion. The drawback of this solution is that under the cyclic load of repeated filling and defilling of the cylinder, the clamp is prone to cumulative plastic deformation, leading to a gradual decrease in tightening force and eventual loosening. The second solution uses a split clamp structure, absorbing cylinder expansion by installing elastic elements (such as springs) between the clamp segments. While this solution achieves compensation, it is structurally more complex with more components, and the split structure reduces the overall torsional stiffness of the clamp against the cylinder, resulting in poor reliability under torsional loads.

[0018] Therefore, how to achieve effective compensation of the circumferential expansion of the high-pressure gas cylinder by the clamp while simplifying the structure and ensuring the anti-torsional performance, and how to ensure its fastening reliability and service life under long-term cyclic conditions, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field.

[0019] Example 1

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure, which mainly includes a fixing bracket 1, a clamping assembly 2, an elastic compensation component 4, and an adjusting component 3.

[0021] 1. Base

[0022] In this embodiment, the base 6 is disposed at the bottom of the gas cylinder 5 to support the gas cylinder 5, prevent it from moving axially, and work with the fixed bracket 1 to achieve axial and circumferential positioning of the gas cylinder 5.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the base 6 has a triangular cross-section, which includes a fixing part and a supporting part.

[0024] The fixing part includes a first section and two second sections, which are respectively connected to both ends of the first section and are coplanar with the first section. The fixing part is fixed to a predetermined position on the installation foundation by fasteners (such as expansion bolts or pre-embedded anchor bolts).

[0025] The support includes a first support end and two second support ends. The first support end is vertically connected to the middle of the first segment and is used to support the bottom end face of the gas cylinder 5. The two second support ends are respectively connected to the two second segments one-to-one, and each second support end has a triangular structure to enhance the overall rigidity and load-bearing capacity of the base 6.

[0026] To reduce the overall weight of the base 6 and optimize its mechanical properties, both the first support end and the two second support ends adopt a hollow structure design. Specifically, each support end has a cavity extending along its length. The cross-sectional shape of the cavity can be rectangular, circular, triangular, or elliptical, and its dimensions are determined according to the load-bearing requirements and manufacturing process. The hollow structure effectively reduces the weight of the base 6 while ensuring sufficient strength and rigidity of the support ends, facilitating installation and transportation, and saving material costs.

[0027] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the first support end is provided with an arc-shaped groove. The inner diameter of the arc-shaped groove matches the outer diameter of the bottom of the gas cylinder 5, and an elastic gasket (such as a rubber gasket or a polyurethane gasket) can be embedded in the arc-shaped groove to buffer the contact stress between the gas cylinder 5 and the base 6 and improve the support stability. The two second support ends are symmetrically arranged so that the base 6 maintains uniform force when bearing the weight of the gas cylinder 5 and external loads.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment, reinforcing ribs may be provided inside the hollow structure, and the reinforcing ribs are distributed along the circumference or axial direction of the cavity to further improve the bending and torsional resistance of the support end.

[0029] Depending on the requirements of different application scenarios, it is optional to use the base 6. For vertically installed gas cylinders, the base 6 can be set to support the bottom of the gas cylinder; for horizontally installed or suspended gas cylinders, the base 6 can be omitted, and fixation can be achieved only by the fixing bracket 1 and the clamping assembly 2.

[0030] 2. Fixed bracket

[0031] The fixed bracket 1 is used to determine the installation position of the clamping assembly 2 and provide support. Together with the clamping assembly 2, it wraps around the circumference of the gas cylinder 5, forming a radial constraint on the gas cylinder 5.

[0032] The number and arrangement of fixed supports 1 are determined comprehensively based on the length of gas cylinder 5, installation method, and operating load. Single-support, double-support, or multi-support arrangements can be used.

[0033] Single-bracket arrangement: suitable for gas cylinders with a length-to-diameter ratio less than or equal to a preset ratio (e.g., 4) or with bottom support. Fixed bracket 1 is usually arranged near the center of gravity of the gas cylinder.

[0034] Double-bracket arrangement: suitable for gas cylinders with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than a preset ratio (e.g., 4) or without bottom support. Two fixed brackets 1 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the gas cylinder to ensure that the bending stress of the gas cylinder under its own weight and inertial force is evenly distributed.

[0035] Multi-support arrangement: Suitable for working conditions where the length-to-diameter ratio is greater than the preset ratio (e.g., 8) or subjected to large dynamic loads, three or more fixed supports can be set along the cylinder axis, and the positions of each support are arranged according to the principle of equal bending moment.

[0036] In this embodiment, the length of the gas cylinder is greater than the preset length and there is vibration, so a double-support scheme is adopted. The two fixed supports 1 are respectively arranged at appropriate positions along the axial direction of the gas cylinder (for example, about one-fifth of the total length from each end), so that the clamping force of each fixed unit on the gas cylinder is evenly distributed.

[0037] The fixed bracket 1 can be made of metal sheet (such as steel plate) welded into an L-shaped structure, which includes a vertical mounting part and a horizontal support part:

[0038] Vertical mounting section: Located opposite to clamping assembly 2, used to determine the installation position of clamping assembly 2. The vertical mounting section has threaded holes for adjusting bolts 3 to pass through and connect to the mounting block 21 of clamping assembly 2.

[0039] Horizontal support section: A mounting flange is provided at the bottom, with mounting holes on the flange, for fixed connection to the mounting base using fasteners (such as bolts). The length of the horizontal support section is determined according to the distance between the gas cylinder 5 and the mounting base, ensuring the coaxiality of the clamping assembly 2 and the gas cylinder 5.

[0040] The vertical mounting part of the fixed bracket 1 and the mounting block 21 of the clamping assembly 2 form a sliding fit. The surfaces of the two are smoothly machined, and the fit clearance should ensure that the mounting block 21 can move smoothly along the axial direction of the adjusting bolt 3, while restricting the relative movement of the mounting block in the circumferential and radial directions.

[0041] The fixed bracket 1, clamping assembly 2, elastic compensation component 4, and adjusting bolt 3 together constitute a fixed unit. In the dual-bracket scheme of this embodiment, the two fixed units are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the gas cylinder 5, respectively constraining different axial positions of the gas cylinder 5, so that the clamping force of each fixed unit on the gas cylinder is evenly distributed, and the axis of the gas cylinder is kept aligned during the circumferential expansion process, avoiding the displacement of the gas cylinder axis caused by unilateral load, and further improving the stability and reliability of the fixed structure.

[0042] The above-mentioned fixed support design has the following advantages: By arranging the fixed support at the node position of the gas cylinder, the bending stress of the gas cylinder under its own weight and inertial force is effectively reduced, thus extending the service life of the gas cylinder; the separate design of the fixed support and clamping assembly allows for flexible configuration of the number of fixed units according to the length of the gas cylinder and the requirements of the working conditions, making it highly adaptable; the fixed support is connected to the foundation by bolts, and the clamping assembly is connected to the fixed support by adjusting bolts, with each component installed independently, facilitating adjustment and maintenance; the fixed support and clamping assembly together wrap around the circumference of the gas cylinder, forming a radial constraint, and together with the base (if any), achieve axial positioning and circumferential fastening of the gas cylinder, ensuring the reliability of the gas cylinder under various working conditions.

[0043] 3. Clamping assembly

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the clamping assembly 2 consists of a mounting block 21 and a ring belt 22. The clamping assembly 2 cooperates with the fixed bracket 1 to wrap around the circumference of the gas cylinder 5, forming a radial constraint, and achieves reliable fixation of the gas cylinder 5 through the pre-tightening force provided by the elastic compensation component.

[0045] (1) Circular section

[0046] The ring section 22 is arc-shaped and is used to surround and fasten the high-pressure gas cylinder 5. The inner diameter of the ring section 22 matches the outer diameter of the high-pressure gas cylinder 5, and its circumferential wrapping angle, axial width and radial thickness are determined comprehensively based on the geometric dimensions of the gas cylinder 5, working pressure and fastening force requirements.

[0047] Material selection: The ring section 22 is made of a metal material with good strength and weldability. For example, low-alloy high-strength steel (such as Q355B) can be used for general industrial environments; or stainless steel (such as 304 or 316L) can be used for marine environments or corrosive conditions.

[0048] Circumferential wrapping angle: The circumferential wrapping angle of the ring section 22 should be determined comprehensively based on the size of the gas cylinder, the required fastening force, and the ease of installation. A wrapping angle that is too small will result in excessive contact pressure, potentially damaging the gas cylinder surface; a wrapping angle that is too large will increase material usage and make installation inconvenient. As an example, the wrapping angle can be selected as 140° to ensure that the ring section and the gas cylinder have sufficient contact arc length to transmit the fastening force. It should be noted that this angle value is only one specific implementation method, and those skilled in the art can choose other suitable angles according to actual working conditions, such as any value between 120° and 180°, without departing from the protection scope of this invention.

[0049] Axial width: The axial width of the ring section 22 is determined comprehensively based on the required fastening force, the allowable contact stress between the ring section and the gas cylinder, the outer diameter of the gas cylinder, and the curvature of the ring section enveloping the gas cylinder. During design, it should be ensured that the contact stress between the ring section and the gas cylinder does not exceed the allowable value to provide sufficient friction and avoid damage to the gas cylinder surface. The specific width value can be determined according to the actual gas cylinder parameters and fastening force requirements, using conventional mechanical calculation methods.

[0050] Radial thickness: The radial thickness of the ring section 22 is determined based on the bending stress borne by the ring section under the action of the fastening force. The design should ensure that the ring section has sufficient bending strength so that its maximum bending stress does not exceed the allowable value obtained by dividing the material's yield strength by the safety factor. The specific thickness value can be calculated based on the cylinder size, required fastening force, and selected material, using a curved beam strength model, while also taking into account processing technology and lightweight requirements.

[0051] (2) Mounting block

[0052] The mounting block 21 is a block structure and is fixedly connected to the ring belt portion 22 (e.g., by welding) to transmit the compressive force of the elastic compensation member 4 to the ring belt portion 22. The mounting block 21 has a through hole for the adjustment member 3 to pass through, and the through hole and the adjustment member 3 form a clearance fit to ensure that the mounting block 21 can move freely along the axial direction of the adjustment member 3, while limiting its excessive radial offset.

[0053] The mounting block 21 is made of the same material as the ring belt 22, using a metal material with good weldability and mechanical properties (such as carbon structural steel or stainless steel) to ensure weld compatibility and consistency of mechanical properties.

[0054] The thickness and width of the mounting block 21 are determined comprehensively based on the diameter of the adjusting member 3, the outer diameter of the elastic compensating member 4, and the fitting requirements with the fixed bracket 1. The design should ensure that the mounting block 21 has sufficient structural strength and can provide a stable contact surface for the elastic compensating member 4. Those skilled in the art can determine the specific dimensional parameters according to the actual working conditions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] (3) Connection method

[0056] The ring section 22 and the mounting block 21 are fixedly connected by welding. As a specific implementation, a double-sided fillet weld can be used for the connection. Before welding, the contact surfaces of the ring section 22 and the mounting block 21 should be cleaned to remove oil, scale, and other impurities to ensure weld quality. Gas shielded welding (such as CO2 gas shielded welding) or argon arc welding can be used to ensure weld penetration and formation quality.

[0057] The weld length should cover the entire contact edge between the mounting block 21 and the ring section 22. The weld height should be determined based on the thickness of the ring section 22, and is generally not less than half the thickness of the ring section to ensure connection strength and fatigue life. Those skilled in the art can determine the specific weld dimensions according to actual load requirements and welding process specifications, which will not be elaborated here.

[0058] (4) Matching and installation

[0059] The mounting block 21 and the fixed bracket 1 form a sliding fit. The surfaces of both are smoothly machined, and the fit clearance is controlled to ensure that the mounting block 21 moves smoothly along the axial direction of the adjusting bolt 3, while restricting the relative movement of the mounting block in the circumferential and radial directions. This fit design allows the mounting block 21 to move smoothly under the action of the elastic compensation member 4, ensuring that the clamping force of the clamping assembly 2 on the gas cylinder 5 is adaptively adjusted according to the expansion amount.

[0060] An elastic pad (such as a rubber pad or a polytetrafluoroethylene film) can be provided between the clamping assembly 2 and the gas cylinder 5 to evenly distribute the contact pressure, avoid direct metal-to-metal contact that could damage the gas cylinder surface, and increase the coefficient of friction to improve the reliability of the fastening.

[0061] 4. Flexible compensation components and adjusting components

[0062] The elastic compensation component 4 is a helical compression spring, and the adjusting component 3 is an adjusting bolt. The fixed bracket 1 has a threaded hole that mates with the adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolt passes through the center of the helical compression spring and connects to the threaded hole of the fixed bracket 1. One end of the spring 4 abuts against the fixed bracket 1, and the other end abuts against the mounting block 21 of the clamping assembly 2.

[0063] (1) Principles for determining quantity

[0064] The number of springs and adjusting bolts is determined based on the circumferential expansion compensation of gas cylinder 5 and the required tightening force.

[0065] After the gas cylinder is filled with gas, it will expand circumferentially. The amount of circumferential expansion needs to be absorbed by the compression stroke of the spring. Since the clamping assembly 2 is symmetrically arranged, the compensation stroke of the spring on one side is about half of the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder. The required initial clamping force (unloaded state) and the clamping force under full load are determined according to the gas cylinder's own weight and operating conditions.

[0066] The stiffness and initial compression of the spring should meet the following requirements: Under no-load conditions, the initial clamping force provided by the spring ensures that the ring part fits tightly against the gas cylinder; under full-load conditions, the spring is further compressed, and the clamping force increases to ensure that the gas cylinder remains reliably fixed during the expansion process.

[0067] When the elastic force provided by a single spring is insufficient to meet the clamping force requirements, multiple springs can be arranged in parallel. The total elastic force of the parallel springs is the sum of the elastic forces of each spring, and the springs are arranged symmetrically along the circumference of the clamping assembly to ensure uniform force distribution.

[0068] Based on the above principles, in this embodiment, there are two springs and two adjusting bolts in the same fixed unit. It should be noted that the specific stiffness, initial compression, and other parameters of the spring should be calculated and adjusted according to the actual expansion of the gas cylinder, the required tightening force, and the characteristics of the selected spring. Those skilled in the art can make adaptive adjustments without departing from the concept of this invention.

[0069] (2) Layout method

[0070] Two springs and two adjusting bolts are arranged symmetrically around the clamping assembly 2. Specifically, the two adjusting bolts are connected to the fixed bracket 1, and the two springs are respectively sleeved on the corresponding adjusting bolts 3, abutting against the fixed bracket 1 and the mounting block 21.

[0071] The symmetrical arrangement has the following advantages: First, it makes the clamping assembly 2 uniformly stressed, avoiding the displacement of the cylinder 5 axis due to unilateral load; second, the compression forces of the two springs are balanced, and the resulting deflection torques cancel each other out, improving the motion stability of the clamping assembly 2 during the expansion compensation process.

[0072] (3) Guiding and regulating functions

[0073] The mounting block 21 and the fixed bracket 1 form a sliding fit. Their opposing surfaces are smoothly machined, and the fit clearance should ensure that the mounting block 21 can move smoothly along the axial direction of the adjusting bolt 3, while restricting the relative movement of the mounting block in the circumferential and radial directions. The adjusting bolt also serves as a guide; the smooth portion of the adjusting bolt forms a clearance fit with the through hole on the mounting block 21, allowing the mounting block 21 to move smoothly along the axial direction of the adjusting bolt 3. The adjusting bolt has a dual function:

[0074] Firstly, by tightening or loosening the adjusting bolt, the screw-in depth of the adjusting bolt is changed, thereby adjusting the initial compression of the spring. The increase in screw-in depth is equal to the increase in spring compression; by controlling the screw-in depth, the initial tightening force can be set.

[0075] Secondly, the smooth part of the adjusting bolt acts as a guide rod, guiding the mounting block 21 to move along the axial direction during the spring compression or rebound process, limiting the radial offset of the mounting block, and ensuring the accurate movement trajectory of the clamping assembly 2.

[0076] During installation, the initial tightening force can be precisely set by measuring the extension length of the adjusting bolt or by using a torque wrench to control the tightening torque. Those skilled in the art can determine the screw-in depth of the adjusting bolt based on the stiffness of the selected spring and the required initial tightening force. (4) Anti-instability and guiding design

[0077] Length-to-diameter ratio control: The ratio of the spring's free length to its mean diameter should be selected appropriately to avoid instability (i.e., lateral bending) during compression. Those skilled in the art can select springs with a length-to-diameter ratio less than a critical value based on spring stability theory, or use other guiding structures to prevent instability. Adjusting bolt guidance: The adjusting bolt passes through the center of the spring, with an appropriate one-sided gap between the bolt diameter and the spring's inner diameter. This gap ensures free extension and contraction of the spring, avoids motion interference, and provides effective constraint when the spring tends to deflect radially, preventing instability.

[0078] Both ends are ground flat: The two ends of the spring are ground flat to ensure that they are perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the fixed bracket 1 and the mounting block 21. This treatment makes the spring bear force evenly, avoids uneven loading and local stress concentration caused by the tilt of the end faces, and improves the fatigue life of the spring.

[0079] Guide length guarantee: The guide length of the mounting block 21 along the adjusting bolt 3 is greater than the maximum compression stroke of the spring. This design ensures that the mounting block 21 always maintains sufficient guide contact length with the adjusting bolt throughout the entire compensation stroke range, thereby ensuring a stable and repeatable movement trajectory of the clamping assembly 2.

[0080] Optional reinforcement measures: For applications with large compensation strokes or high spring length-to-diameter ratios, a guide sleeve can be added. The guide sleeve is fitted around the spring and fixedly connected to the fixed bracket 1 or mounting block 21 to further limit the radial deflection of the spring.

[0081] (5) Work process

[0082] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 is not filled with gas, the adjusting bolt is pre-tightened to the set position, the spring is in the initial compression state, and the compression force of the spring is transmitted to the ring belt part 22 through the mounting block 21, so that the ring belt part 22 fits tightly with the gas cylinder 5 and provides initial fastening force.

[0083] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 is filled with gas and expands circumferentially, the ring section 22 is lifted by the gas cylinder 5 as a whole, which drives the mounting block 21 to move outward along the axis of the adjusting bolt. The compression of the spring increases, and the compression force increases accordingly, thereby ensuring that the clamping force of the clamping assembly 2 on the gas cylinder 5 increases with the expansion.

[0084] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 releases gas and contracts, the clamping assembly 2 returns to its initial position under the action of the spring's restoring force, and the spring returns to its initial compressed state, continuing to reliably secure the gas cylinder 5.

[0085] Throughout the entire inflation and deflation cycle, the adjusting bolt remains threadedly connected to the fixed bracket 1, and its smooth rod continuously plays a guiding role, ensuring that the movement trajectory of the clamping assembly 2 is stable and repeatable.

[0086] 5. Working Principle

[0087] (a) No-load condition

[0088] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 is not filled (empty state), the adjusting bolt is pre-tightened to the set position, and the spring is in the initial compressed state. Since one end of the spring abuts against the fixed bracket 1 and the other end abuts against the mounting block 21 of the clamping assembly 2, the spring's compression force is transmitted to the ring section 22 through the mounting block 21, making the ring section 22 fit tightly against the high-pressure gas cylinder 5, thereby providing initial fastening force. The magnitude of this initial fastening force is determined by the initial compression of the spring, which is precisely controlled by the screwing depth of the adjusting bolt.

[0089] (II) Inflation process

[0090] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 is filled to its nominal working pressure, the internal pressure of the cylinder increases, causing the cylinder to expand elastically in the circumferential direction. Since the ring section 22 is tightly fitted to the outer wall of the gas cylinder 5 and is an integral rigid structure, the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder 5 is directly converted into the radial lifting of the ring section 22. After the ring section 22 is lifted by the gas cylinder 5 as a whole, it drives the mounting block 21, which is fixedly connected to it, to move outward along the axial direction of the adjusting bolt.

[0091] When the mounting block 21 moves outward, one end of the spring (abutting against the fixed bracket 1) remains stationary, while the other end (abutting against the mounting block 21) moves outward with the mounting block 21, thus increasing the spring's compression. According to Hooke's Law, the spring's compressive force is proportional to its compression, therefore the spring's compressive force increases accordingly. This increased compressive force is transmitted through the mounting block 21 to the ring belt 22, causing the ring belt 22 to simultaneously increase its fastening force on the gas cylinder 5.

[0092] Therefore, during the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder 5, the clamping force increases with the expansion amount, thereby ensuring that the clamping assembly 2 can still provide sufficient clamping force when the gas cylinder 5 is fully loaded, preventing the gas cylinder 5 from loosening due to expansion.

[0093] (III) Degassing and contraction process

[0094] When the high-pressure gas cylinder 5 is released, the internal pressure of the gas cylinder decreases, and the cylinder body contracts and returns to the unloaded state under the action of elastic restoring force. At this time, due to the reduction in the outer diameter of the gas cylinder 5, the contact pressure between the ring part 22 and the gas cylinder 5 decreases, but the spring is still in a compressed state, and its compressive force continues to act on the mounting block 21.

[0095] Under the restoring force of the spring, the mounting block 21 moves inward along the axis of the adjusting bolt 3, causing the ring belt 22 to retract synchronously, so that the ring belt 22 always fits tightly against the outer wall of the gas cylinder 5. When the gas cylinder 5 is completely returned to the empty state, the clamping assembly 2 also returns to the initial position, the spring returns to the initial compression, and continues to maintain the initial fastening force on the gas cylinder 5.

[0096] (iv) Stress distribution and service life

[0097] During the above-mentioned filling and discharging cycle, the displacement generated by the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder 5 is mainly absorbed by the compression deformation of the spring. The metal base of the fixed structure (including the fixed bracket 1, the ring part 22 of the clamping assembly 2 and the mounting block 21) only serves as a force transmission component and does not directly bear the tensile stress generated by the expansion of the gas cylinder 5.

[0098] Specifically, in existing technologies, integrated clamps rely on their own elastic deformation to absorb the expansion of the gas cylinder, causing the clamp's metal substrate to repeatedly bear tensile stress, which easily leads to cumulative plastic deformation. In this technical solution, however, the displacement caused by the expansion of the gas cylinder is compensated by the compression of the spring, keeping the metal substrate within the elastic deformation range and preventing cumulative plastic deformation. Therefore, the number of times the fixing structure can be reused mainly depends on the fatigue life of the spring. Since the spring, as a standard elastic element, has a high fatigue life, this significantly improves the overall service life and reliability of the fixing structure.

[0099] In summary, this embodiment achieves effective compensation for the circumferential expansion of the high-pressure gas cylinder by optimizing the node arrangement of the fixed bracket, the integral structural design of the clamping assembly, the symmetrical arrangement and guiding anti-instability design of the elastic compensation component, and the dual-function integration of the adjusting bolt. This ensures the reliability of the fastening while improving the service life of the structure and the convenience of installation and maintenance.

[0100] Example 2

[0101] Based on Example 1, this embodiment further optimizes the selection of spring stiffness and the setting of initial compression to achieve adaptive adjustment of the fastening force according to the expansion of the gas cylinder.

[0102] (I) Adaptive Adjustment Principle

[0103] When the gas cylinder 5 is inflated, the ring belt 22 is lifted, causing the mounting block 21 to move outward. This increases the compression of the spring and the corresponding compressive force. Since the spring's compressive force directly determines the clamping force of the ring belt 22 on the gas cylinder 5, the clamping force increases linearly with the increase of the gas cylinder's expansion.

[0104] This adaptive adjustment mechanism ensures that the fixing structure maintains optimal fastening force throughout the entire operating range of the gas cylinder:

[0105] No-load state: The spring is in the initial compression state, providing a moderate initial clamping force F0, which can reliably fix the gas cylinder and avoid excessive initial stress from damaging the gas cylinder surface.

[0106] Full load condition: The gas cylinder expands to its maximum, the spring is compressed to its maximum, and the fastening force automatically increases to F1 to ensure that the gas cylinder does not loosen under high pressure.

[0107] Intermediate state: The fastening force changes linearly with the cylinder pressure, always matching the cylinder expansion.

[0108] (II) Parameter Optimization Design

[0109] To achieve adaptive adjustment, the stiffness and initial compression of the spring are determined based on the working pressure of the gas cylinder, the circumferential expansion, and the required clamping force, so that the clamping force of the clamping component 2 on the gas cylinder 5 increases with the increase of the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder, thereby achieving adaptive clamping of the gas cylinder expansion.

[0110] Specifically, let Fmin be the minimum clamping force required when the gas cylinder is unloaded, Fmax be the minimum clamping force required when fully loaded, ΔC be the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder, ΔC / 2 be the compensation stroke of the spring on one side, and n be the number of springs. Then, the initial compression should ensure that the total spring force provided by the springs when unloaded is not less than Fmin; the spring stiffness should ensure that the increase in spring force during the compression stroke from unloaded to fully loaded is not less than Fmax - Fmin. Those skilled in the art can calculate the appropriate initial compression and spring stiffness based on the above relationships, combined with specific gas cylinder parameters and spring selection manuals.

[0111] The greater the spring stiffness, the faster the tightening force increases with the expansion; the smaller the spring stiffness, the slower the increase. Therefore, for gas cylinders with high working pressure and large circumferential expansion, a spring with higher stiffness is preferable to ensure a rapid response of the tightening force to expansion. For gas cylinders with low working pressure and small expansion, a spring with lower stiffness is preferable to avoid excessive contact stress caused by excessively rapid increases in tightening force. By selecting appropriate spring stiffness and initial compression, gas cylinders under different operating conditions can be adapted without changing other components of the fixed structure, thereby improving the product's versatility and adaptability to different operating conditions.

[0112] (III) Technical Effects

[0113] This embodiment designs the spring stiffness and initial compression to match the gas cylinder's working pressure, circumferential expansion, and required fastening force. This ensures the spring compression force increases linearly with the gas cylinder's expansion, achieving adaptive adjustment of the fastening force to the cylinder's expansion. Because of the definite linear relationship between fastening force and expansion, the spring provides only a moderate initial fastening force under no-load conditions, preventing indentations or damage to the cylinder surface due to excessive initial stress. Under full load, the spring compression reaches its maximum value, and the fastening force simultaneously increases to the design limit, ensuring the gas cylinder remains reliably fixed even at maximum pressure, preventing loosening due to expansion. Furthermore, by adjusting the spring stiffness and initial compression, it can accommodate gas cylinders with different working pressures and expansion rates without altering other components of the fixing structure, significantly improving the product's versatility and adaptability to various operating conditions.

[0114] Example 3

[0115] This embodiment further optimizes the modular design of the fixed structure, highlighting the separate structure of the elastic compensation component and the metal substrate and the advantages of repeated use.

[0116] (a) Separate structural design

[0117] In this design, the metal substrate of the fixed structure (including the fixing bracket 1, the ring section 22 of the clamping assembly 2, and the mounting block 21) and the elastic compensation component 4 are designed separately. Specifically:

[0118] Metal substrate: The fixing bracket 1, the ring section 22, and the mounting block 21 are all made of high-strength metal materials (such as Q355B or 304 stainless steel), and their design strength fully considers the load generated by the expansion of the gas cylinder. During the gas cylinder filling and discharging cycle, the metal substrate is always within the elastic deformation range and will not produce cumulative plastic deformation. Therefore, the service life of the fixing bracket and the clamping assembly is greater than the service life of the elastic compensation component, that is, the fixing bracket 1 and the clamping assembly 2 have an unlimited service life.

[0119] Elastic compensation component 4: A helical compression spring is used as an independent standard component and can be detachably installed between the fixed bracket 1 and the mounting block 21. The spring is connected to the metal base via adjusting bolts, allowing for easy disassembly and replacement. After reaching its fatigue life, spring 4 can be replaced individually without replacing the entire fixing structure.

[0120] (ii) Replaceable design

[0121] To facilitate the replacement of the elastic compensation component 4, this embodiment adopts the following design:

[0122] Standardized interface: The dimensions and stiffness parameters of the spring are designed in a standardized manner, and the mating dimensions with the adjusting bolt are consistent, which facilitates procurement and replacement.

[0123] Independent installation space: The spring is installed between the fixed bracket 1 and the mounting block 21, with no other interfering parts around it. When disassembling, the spring can be removed simply by loosening the adjusting bolt.

[0124] Wear detection: Wear indicator lines or detection holes can be set on the fixed bracket 1 or mounting block 21 to check whether the spring has reached its fatigue life or has undergone permanent deformation.

[0125] (III) Preferred Materials for Elastic Compensation Components

[0126] To extend the service life of the elastic compensation component, the spring is made of high fatigue-limit alloy spring steel (such as 50CrVA or 60Si2Mn), with a fatigue life exceeding the preset number of filling and discharging cycles of the gas cylinder. The two end faces of spring 4 are ground smooth to eliminate stress concentration at the ends; the spring surface is shot-peened to further improve fatigue strength. Through these material and process measures, the fatigue life of the spring meets the required number of filling and discharging cycles of the gas cylinder within its preset service life. Therefore, the spring does not need to be replaced throughout the entire service life of the gas cylinder, or only needs to be replaced after reaching its service life.

[0127] (iv) Technical effects

[0128] In this embodiment, the fixed bracket and clamping assembly are always within the elastic deformation range during the inflation and deflation cycle, and their service life is greater than that of the elastic compensation component. The elastic compensation component, as an independent component, can be replaced separately. Thus, while ensuring structural reliability, the long-term maintenance-free operation of the metal substrate and the low-cost replacement of vulnerable parts are achieved, significantly reducing the total life cycle cost.

[0129] Example 4

[0130] Based on Example 1, this embodiment introduces a status monitoring device to achieve real-time monitoring and early warning of the working status of the gas cylinder.

[0131] (I) Composition of the Condition Monitoring Device

[0132] The status monitoring device includes a sensor unit, a signal processing unit, and an alarm unit.

[0133] Sensor unit: Located between the fixed bracket 1 and the clamping assembly 2, used to detect the compression of the elastic compensation component 4 or the position of the clamping assembly 2 in real time. The sensor can be any one or more of the following combinations:

[0134] Displacement sensor: such as laser displacement sensor, eddy current sensor, resistive displacement sensor or inductive displacement sensor, is mounted on fixed bracket 1 with the detection end facing mounting block 21, and is used to measure the displacement of mounting block 21 relative to fixed bracket 1.

[0135] Pressure sensor: such as a ring pressure sensor or a strain gauge pressure sensor, is placed between the end of the spring and the fixed bracket 1 or between the end of the spring and the mounting block 21, and is used to measure the real-time compression force of the spring.

[0136] Strain gauge: It is attached to the stress-bearing part of the fixed bracket 1 or mounting block 21 to indirectly calculate the spring compression force by measuring the strain of the structure.

[0137] Signal processing unit: Electrically connected to the sensor unit, it receives and processes sensor signals. The signal processing unit includes a signal amplification circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a microprocessor. It converts the sensor signal into a displacement or pressure value and compares it with a preset threshold. When the sensor signal exceeds the preset threshold, an alarm signal is issued.

[0138] Alarm unit: Electrically connected to the signal processing unit, used to issue an alarm signal when the sensor signal exceeds a preset threshold. The alarm unit can be any one or a combination of audible and visual alarms, buzzers, indicator lights, or remote communication modules to send alarm information to the control center or operator terminal.

[0139] (II) Working Principle

[0140] When gas cylinder 5 is inflated, mounting block 21 moves outward, increasing spring compression and causing a corresponding change in the signal from displacement or pressure sensor. The signal processing unit acquires the sensor signals in real time and converts them into the current spring compression or clamping force based on the calibration curve.

[0141] Status monitoring: The compression amount of the elastic compensator detected by the sensor unit has a preset correspondence with the working pressure of the gas cylinder. By monitoring the compression amount of the elastic compensator, the working pressure status of the gas cylinder can be indirectly monitored. When the compression amount of the elastic compensator reaches the preset full-load threshold, it indicates that the gas cylinder has been filled to the working pressure.

[0142] Anomaly Warning: When the sensor signal exceeds the preset safety range, the alarm unit issues an alarm signal. For example:

[0143] If the spring compression continues to increase beyond the full load threshold, it may indicate that the cylinder pressure is too high or that the cylinder has expanded abnormally.

[0144] A sudden decrease in spring compression may indicate that the spring is broken or the adjusting bolt is loose.

[0145] If the spring compression is lower than the initial setting value under no-load conditions, it may indicate that the spring has undergone permanent deformation or the fastening force has decreased.

[0146] (III) Calibration and Threshold Setting

[0147] The correspondence between sensor signals and gas cylinder pressure can be determined through experimental calibration. The specific method is as follows:

[0148] During the filling and discharging process of the gas cylinder, sensor signals and gas cylinder pressure are recorded simultaneously;

[0149] Establish a calibration curve between sensor signal and gas cylinder pressure;

[0150] Based on the safe operating pressure range of the gas cylinder, set the normal range threshold and alarm threshold for the sensor signal.

[0151] In this embodiment, the normal range of the sensor signal can be set according to the spring compression under no-load and full-load conditions. When the detected spring compression is lower than the normal value under no-load or higher than the normal value under full-load, an alarm is triggered.

[0152] (iv) Technical effects

[0153] This embodiment uses a sensor unit placed between the fixed bracket and the clamping assembly to detect the compression of the elastic compensator or the position of the clamping assembly in real time. By utilizing a preset correspondence between the sensor signal and the cylinder pressure, indirect monitoring of the cylinder's working pressure is achieved. Since the compression of the elastic compensator changes synchronously with the cylinder's expansion, and the cylinder's expansion is directly related to its internal pressure, the real-time pressure state of the cylinder can be inferred by monitoring the compression, eliminating the need for an additional pressure sensor. When the sensor signal exceeds a preset threshold, the signal processing unit immediately triggers an alarm unit to issue a warning. This timely alert to operators before abnormal cylinder pressure or structural failure (such as spring breakage or loose adjusting bolts) occurs effectively improves system safety.

[0154] Meanwhile, by continuously recording changes in sensor signals, the fatigue state of the spring can be monitored, prompting replacement before the spring reaches the end of its lifespan to avoid sudden failure. The recorded number of gas cylinder filling and defilling cycles and working pressure history can also provide data support for equipment maintenance and management. This embodiment integrates the fixing structure with the condition monitoring function, achieving reliable gas cylinder fixing while endowing it with intelligent monitoring capabilities, significantly improving the system's intelligence level and safety reliability.

[0155] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure, characterized in that, include: A mounting bracket is used to determine the installation position of the clamping assembly and provide support; A clamping assembly, the clamping assembly including a mounting block and a ring band fixedly connected to the mounting block, the ring band being used to surround and fasten the high-pressure gas cylinder; An elastic compensating member, one end of which abuts against the fixed bracket, and the other end of which abuts against the mounting block of the clamping assembly; as well as, An adjusting member, which is connected to the fixed bracket and passes through the elastic compensator, is used to adjust the initial compression of the elastic compensator; The clamping assembly is floatingly mounted on the fixed bracket via the elastic compensator. The compression of the elastic compensator changes accordingly with the circumferential expansion or contraction of the high-pressure gas cylinder to provide a continuous clamping force.

2. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting component is an adjusting bolt, and the fixed bracket has a threaded hole that mates with the adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolt passes through the elastic compensator and connects to the threaded hole.

3. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic compensating element is a helical compression spring, and the adjusting element passes through the center of the helical compression spring.

4. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting block and the fixed bracket are in a sliding fit, and the adjusting member is a guide member, allowing the mounting block to move smoothly along the axial direction of the adjusting member; the adjusting member is also used to adjust the initial compression of the elastic compensation member and guide the movement of the mounting block.

5. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing structure includes at least two sets of fixing units. Each set of fixing units includes the fixing bracket, clamping assembly, elastic compensation component and adjusting component. Multiple sets of fixing units are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the high-pressure gas cylinder for multi-point fixing of the gas cylinder.

6. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, Within the same fixed unit, there are at least two elastic compensation components and at least two adjusting components, which are arranged symmetrically around the clamping assembly in the circumferential direction. Multiple sets of fixed units are arranged at intervals along the axial direction in coordination with the symmetrical arrangement in the circumferential direction, so that the clamping force of each fixed unit on the gas cylinder is evenly distributed and the axis of the gas cylinder is kept aligned during the circumferential expansion process.

7. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stiffness and initial compression of the elastic compensation component are determined based on the working pressure, circumferential expansion, and required fastening force of the gas cylinder, so that the fastening force of the clamping assembly on the gas cylinder increases with the increase of the circumferential expansion of the gas cylinder, thereby achieving adaptive fastening of the gas cylinder expansion.

8. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic compensation element is detachably installed as an independent component between the fixed bracket and the clamping assembly.

9. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a condition monitoring device, which includes a sensor unit and a signal processing unit; The sensor unit is disposed between the fixed bracket and the clamping assembly, and is used to detect the compression amount of the elastic compensation member or the position of the clamping assembly in real time. The signal processing unit is electrically connected to the sensor unit and is used to receive sensor signals and compare them with a preset threshold. When the sensor signal exceeds the preset threshold, an alarm signal is issued.

10. The high-pressure gas cylinder fixing structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The compression amount of the elastic compensator detected by the sensor unit has a preset correspondence with the working pressure of the gas cylinder. By monitoring the compression amount of the elastic compensator, the working pressure status of the gas cylinder can be indirectly monitored.

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