A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment
By designing a disassembly and fastening mechanism, the ventilation duct is initially fixed using a hinge plate and spring, while fastening bolts and locking blocks ensure a stable connection. This solves the problem of high difficulty in connecting ventilation ducts for wind power generation equipment, and improves operational efficiency and connection stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUANENG YINGKOU XIANRENDAO CO GENERATION CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
Smart Images

Figure CN224433712U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of wind power generation equipment, and in particular relates to a ventilation pipe connection structure for wind power generation equipment. Background Technology
[0002] A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment is designed specifically for the ventilation system of wind power generation equipment (such as nacelles, towers, etc.). It is a functional structure used to achieve precise docking and stable assembly between different sections of ventilation ducts. Its core function is to ensure unobstructed ventilation channels and prevent airflow leakage to maintain ventilation efficiency, while adapting to the special operating conditions of wind power generation equipment in outdoor environments, such as long-term vibration, drastic temperature and humidity fluctuations, and corrosive environments, to prevent the connection parts from loosening or failing due to the operating conditions.
[0003] The connection of existing wind turbine ventilation ducts usually requires the cooperation of multiple people. First, the mounting holes of the flange ring on the ventilation duct are aligned with the mounting holes of the flange ring on the pre-reserved fixed pipe in the nacelle. Then, bolts are inserted into the mounting holes and tightened with nuts to complete the connection between the fixed pipe and the ventilation duct. To ensure that the mounting holes of the flange ring on the fixed pipe and the ventilation duct are aligned, multiple workers need to hold the ventilation duct together and make continuous adjustments during the installation process to complete the alignment of the mounting holes. Therefore, this method not only wastes a lot of manpower, but is also difficult to operate. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a ventilation pipe connection structure for wind power generation equipment. By setting up a disassembly and assembly mechanism, specifically, the left end of the ventilation pipe is first inserted into the gap between the fixed pipe and the outer casing. During insertion, the right side of the outer casing presses three hinge plates, causing them to rotate into a rectangular groove. Once the spring is compressed, the pipe continues to be inserted until the left side of the flange ring contacts the right side of the outer casing. At this point, the spring pushes the hinge plates back to their original position, thus initially fixing the ventilation pipe to the fixed pipe. For disassembly, the nut and fastening bolt are removed, and then the screw is rotated clockwise to push the moving ring to the right. When the right side pushes the hinge plates into the rectangular groove, the ventilation pipe can be pulled out. This design, through the hinge plates, achieves initial fixing between the ventilation pipe and the fixed pipe, eliminating the need to hold the ventilation pipe while performing the fixing operation, reducing the difficulty of the operation. It solves the problem that existing ventilation pipe installation methods require multiple workers to hold the ventilation pipe and continuously adjust it to align the mounting holes with the bolts, resulting in wasted manpower and high operational difficulty.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0006] This utility model discloses a ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment, including a fixed pipe with a shell fixedly connected to its outer surface. A ventilation duct is inserted into the right end of the fixed pipe, and a flange ring is fixedly connected to the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation duct. A sealing gasket is installed at the right end of the fixed pipe. The structure also includes: a disassembly and assembly mechanism located on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation duct, used for installing and disassembling the fixed pipe and the ventilation duct; the disassembly and assembly mechanism includes three rectangular grooves, with hinge plates hinged to the inner walls of the rectangular grooves; a sliding limit fitting of a moving ring on the inner wall of the shell, with a screw rotatably connected inside the moving ring; and a fastening mechanism located inside the shell, used for fastening the fixed pipe and the ventilation duct. The right side of the shell contacts the left side of the flange ring. The three rectangular grooves are arranged in a ring on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation duct. Since the fixed pipe is fixedly connected to the wind power generation equipment, during the fixing process, the left end of the ventilation duct compresses the sealing gasket, deforming it to fill the surrounding gaps and achieve a sealing effect.
[0007] Furthermore, the disassembly and assembly mechanism includes three springs. The inner wall of the rectangular groove is provided with a spring groove. One end of the spring is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the spring groove, and the other end of the spring is fixedly connected to the side of the hinge plate near the rectangular groove. The spring groove and the rectangular groove are interconnected. The spring is used to push the hinge plate to reset. The spring groove is used to accommodate the spring. When the hinge plate is completely inserted into the rectangular groove, the spring will also be completely inserted into the spring groove.
[0008] Furthermore, a circular block is fixedly connected to the right end of the screw, and the circular block is rotatably connected to the moving ring. The screw is threadedly connected to the left side of the outer casing. The right side of the moving ring is arc-shaped, and during the movement of the moving ring, the arc-shaped surface on its right side can better push the hinge plate.
[0009] Furthermore, the fastening mechanism includes six bolts, the left sides of which are fixedly connected to the right side of the outer casing. The right side of the flange ring has six circular holes, and the bolts slide and limit the engagement with the circular holes on the flange ring. The left side of the outer surface of the bolt is smooth, and the right side of the outer surface of the bolt is threaded. The diameter of the smooth part on the left side of the bolt is the same as the diameter of the hole on the flange ring, while the diameter of the threaded part on the right side of the bolt is smaller than the diameter of the hole on the flange ring.
[0010] Furthermore, the fastening mechanism includes three fastening bolts, three threaded grooves on the right side of the flange ring, three threaded grooves on the right side of the ventilation pipe, the fastening bolts being threadedly connected to the threaded grooves on the flange ring and the outer shell, and an annular groove on the left side of the outer surface of the fastening bolts; the threaded grooves on the flange ring and the outer shell are interconnected, and the annular groove is arranged in a ring shape.
[0011] Furthermore, three circular tubes are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer shell. A movable rod is slidably limited inside the circular tube. A pull block is fixedly connected to the end of the movable rod away from the outer shell. A fixing ring is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the movable rod. The fixing ring is slidably limited to the inner wall of the circular tube. A second spring is sleeved on the outer surface of the movable rod. One end of the second spring is fixedly connected to the fixing ring, and the other end of the second spring is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the circular tube. The fixing ring is used to prevent the movable rod from detaching from the circular tube, and the fixing ring is used to support and install the second spring.
[0012] Furthermore, a locking block is fixedly connected to the end of the moving rod away from the pull block. The locking block is slidably limited to the outer shell and is inserted into the annular groove. Three horizontal grooves are formed on the outer surface of the moving ring. An inclined surface is formed at the end of the locking block away from the moving rod. When the moving ring moves to the right, the locking block will be in the horizontal groove, so that the moving ring can move to the right smoothly without being blocked by the locking block.
[0013] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0014] 1. This utility model, through the setting of a disassembly and assembly mechanism, specifically involves first inserting the left end of the ventilation pipe into the gap between the fixed pipe and the outer shell. During insertion, the right side of the outer shell presses three hinge plates, causing them to rotate into the rectangular groove. Once the spring is compressed, the pipe is continuously inserted until the left side of the flange ring contacts the right side of the outer shell. At this point, the spring pushes the hinge plates to return to their original position, and the ventilation pipe and the fixed pipe are initially fixed. During disassembly, the nut and fastening bolt are removed, and then the screw is rotated clockwise to push the moving ring to the right. When the right side of the ring pushes the hinge plate into the rectangular groove, the ventilation pipe can be pulled out. This setting achieves initial fixation between the ventilation pipe and the fixed pipe through the hinge plates, eliminating the need to hold the ventilation pipe while performing the fixing operation, thus reducing the difficulty of the operation.
[0015] 2. This utility model features a fastening mechanism. Specifically, after the outer shell and ventilation pipe are initially connected, the nuts and bolts are tightened one by one. Then, the fastening bolt is rotated clockwise so that it first enters the threaded groove of the flange ring and then the threaded groove on the right side of the outer shell. During rotation, the left side of the fastening bolt contacts the bottom inclined surface of the locking block, squeezing and pushing it away from the fastening bolt. At the same time, it drives the moving rod and the fixing ring to move. The fixing ring and the inner wall of the round pipe together squeeze the second spring. After the fastening bolt is fully tightened, it no longer squeezes the locking block. The second spring pushes the locking block to reset, so that it enters the annular groove of the fastening bolt, thus locking the fastening bolt. This setting, by locking the fastening bolt with the locking block, makes the connection between the fixed pipe and the ventilation pipe more stable and prevents it from easily loosening due to vibration.
[0016] Of course, any product implementing this utility model does not necessarily need to achieve all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rectangular groove structure of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circular block structure of this utility model;
[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the transverse groove structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fastening mechanism of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking block structure of this utility model.
[0024] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:
[0025] 1. Fixed pipe; 11. Outer shell; 12. Ventilation pipe; 121. Flange ring; 13. Sealing gasket; 2. Disassembly and assembly mechanism; 21. Rectangular groove; 211. Spring groove; 212. Spring one; 213. Hinge plate; 22. Moving ring; 221. Screw; 222. Round block; 3. Fastening mechanism; 31. Bolt; 32. Fastening bolt; 321. Threaded groove; 322. Annular groove; 33. Round pipe; 331. Moving rod; 332. Pull block; 333. Fixed ring; 334. Spring two; 335. Locking block; 34. Horizontal groove. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0027] Please see Figures 1-6As shown, this utility model is a ventilation pipe connection structure for wind power generation equipment, including a fixed pipe 1, a shell 11 fixedly connected to the outer surface of the fixed pipe 1, a ventilation pipe 12 inserted into the right end of the fixed pipe 1, a flange ring 121 fixedly connected to the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation pipe 12, and a sealing gasket 13 installed at the right end of the fixed pipe 1. It also includes: a disassembly and assembly mechanism 2, which is located on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation pipe 12 and is used to install and disassemble the fixed pipe 1 and the ventilation pipe 12. The disassembly and assembly mechanism 2 includes three rectangular grooves 21, with hinge plates 213 hinged to the inner walls of the rectangular grooves 21. A sliding ring 22 is slidably limited to the inner wall of the shell 11, and a screw 221 is rotatably connected inside the sliding ring 22; and a fastening mechanism 3, which is located inside the shell 11 and is used to fasten the fixed pipe 1 and the ventilation pipe 12. The right side of the shell 11 contacts the left side of the flange ring 121, and the three rectangular grooves 21 are arranged in a ring on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation pipe 12. The disassembly / assembly mechanism 2 includes three springs 212. A spring groove 211 is formed on the inner wall of the rectangular groove 21. One end of each spring 212 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the spring groove 211, and the other end is fixedly connected to the side of the hinge plate 213 near the rectangular groove 21. The spring groove 211 and the rectangular groove 21 are interconnected. The spring 212 is used to push the hinge plate 213 back to its original position, and the spring groove 211 is used to accommodate the spring 212. A round block 222 is fixedly connected to the right end of the screw 221. The round block 222 is rotatably connected to the moving ring 22. The screw 221 is threadedly connected to the left side of the outer casing 11. First, the left end of the ventilation pipe 12 is inserted into the gap between the fixed pipe 1 and the outer casing 11. During insertion, the right side of the outer casing 11 presses against the three hinge plates 213, causing them to rotate into the rectangular groove 21. The springs 212 are compressed. Insertion continues until the left side of the flange ring 121 contacts the right side of the outer casing 11, at which point the springs 212 push the hinge plates 213 back to their original position. When the ventilation pipe 12 is initially fixed to the fixed pipe 1, the nut and fastening bolt 32 are removed. Then, the screw 221 is rotated clockwise to push the moving ring 22 to the right. When the right side of the moving ring 22 pushes the hinge plate 213 into the rectangular groove 21, the ventilation pipe 12 can be pulled out. This setting uses the hinge plate 213 to initially fix the ventilation pipe 12 to the fixed pipe 1, eliminating the need to hold the ventilation pipe 12 while fixing it, thus reducing the difficulty of the operation. The right side of the moving ring 22 is curved. The fastening mechanism 3 includes six bolts 31. The left side of each of the six bolts 31 is fixedly connected to the right side of the outer shell 11. The right side of the flange ring 121 has six round holes, and the bolts 31 slide and limit the movement of the round holes on the flange ring 121. The left side of the outer surface of the bolt 31 is smooth, and the right side of the outer surface of the bolt 31 is threaded.The fastening mechanism 3 includes three fastening bolts 32. The flange ring 121 has three threaded grooves 321 on its right side, and the ventilation pipe 12 has three threaded grooves 321 on its right side. The fastening bolts 32 are threadedly connected to the threaded grooves 321 on the flange ring 121 and the outer shell 11. The fastening bolts 32 have an annular groove 322 on their outer surface. The threaded grooves 321 on the flange ring 121 and the outer shell 11 are interconnected, and the annular groove 322 is arranged in annular shape. Three circular tubes 33 are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer casing 11. A moving rod 331 is slidably limited inside the circular tube 33. A pull block 332 is fixedly connected to the end of the moving rod 331 away from the outer casing 11. A fixing ring 333 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the moving rod 331. The fixing ring 333 is slidably limited to the inner wall of the circular tube 33. A second spring 334 is sleeved on the outer surface of the moving rod 331. One end of the second spring 334 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring 333, and the other end of the second spring 334 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the circular tube 33. The fixing ring 333 is used to prevent the moving rod 331 from detaching from the circular tube 33. The fixing ring 333 is used to support and install the second spring 334. A locking block 335 is fixedly connected to the end of the moving rod 331 away from the pull block 332. The locking block 335 is in sliding limit engagement with the outer shell 11 and is inserted into the annular groove 322. Three transverse grooves 34 are opened on the outer surface of the moving ring 22. After the outer shell 11 and the ventilation pipe 12 are initially connected, the nuts and bolts 31 are tightened one by one. Then, the fastening bolt 32 is rotated clockwise so that it first enters the thread groove 321 of the flange ring 121 and then enters the thread groove 321 on the right side of the outer shell 11. During rotation, the left side of the fastening bolt 32 contacts the bottom inclined surface of the locking block 335, squeezing and pushing it away from the fastening bolt. 32. Simultaneously, the moving rod 331 and the fixed ring 333 move. The fixed ring 333 and the inner wall of the round tube 33 jointly squeeze the second spring 334. After the fastening bolt 32 is fully tightened, it no longer squeezes the locking block 335. The second spring 334 pushes the locking block 335 to reset, so that it enters the annular groove 322 of the fastening bolt 32, thus completing the locking of the fastening bolt 32. This setting locks the fastening bolt 32 through the locking block 335, which can make the connection between the fixed tube 1 and the ventilation tube 12 more stable and will not easily loosen due to vibration. The end of the locking block 335 away from the moving rod 331 has an inclined surface.
[0028] A specific application of this embodiment is as follows: In use, the left end of the fixed pipe 1 is fixedly connected to the wind power generation equipment. Then, the six round holes on the flange ring 121 are aligned with the corresponding bolts 31. After alignment, the left end of the ventilation pipe 12 is inserted into the gap between the fixed pipe 1 and the outer shell 11. At this time, the bolts 31 will be inserted into the round holes of the flange ring 121. During the insertion process, the right side of the outer shell 11 will squeeze and push the three hinge plates 213, causing the hinge plates 213 to rotate into the rectangular groove 21. At this time, the spring 212 connected to the hinge plate 213 is squeezed. When the ventilation pipe 12 continues to be inserted until the left side of the flange ring 121 contacts the right side of the outer shell 11, the outer shell 11 no longer squeezes the hinge plates 213. At this time, the spring 212 pushes the hinge plates 213 to rotate and reset through its own elasticity, so that the end of the hinge plate 213 away from the rectangular groove 21 will contact the inner wall of the outer shell 11, so that the ventilation pipe 12 cannot be pulled out from the outer shell 11.
[0029] Then, tighten the nuts and bolts 31 one by one. After tightening, rotate the fastening bolt 32 clockwise into the threaded groove 321 on the flange ring 121. Continue rotating the fastening bolt 32 until it enters the threaded groove 321 on the right side of the outer casing 11. During rotation, when the left side of the fastening bolt 32 contacts the inclined surface at the bottom of the locking block 335, it will push and squeeze the locking block 335, causing the inclined surface at its bottom to move away from the fastening bolt 32. When the locking block 335 moves, it will drive the moving rod 331 and the fixing ring 333 to move together. The fixing ring 333 cooperates with the inner wall of the round tube 33. When the second spring 334 is squeezed and the fastening bolt 32 is fully tightened, the left end of the fastening bolt 32 no longer squeezes the locking block 335. At this time, the second spring 334 pushes the locking block 335 back to its original position through its own elasticity. The locking block 335 will enter the annular groove 322 of the fastening bolt 32. At this time, the fastening bolt 32 is locked by the locking block 335. The other fastening bolts 32 are operated in the same way. When the outer shell 11 and the ventilation pipe 12 are connected by multiple bolts 31 and fastening bolts 32, the outer shell 11 and the ventilation pipe 12 work together to squeeze the sealing gasket 13 to fill the surrounding gaps and ensure the effectiveness of the seal.
[0030] When the ventilation pipe 12 needs to be removed for maintenance and repair, first unscrew the nuts on the bolts 31 one by one, and then pull the pull block 332 to make the locking block 335 completely disengage from the annular groove 322. At this time, the fastening bolt 32 can be rotated counterclockwise to disengage it from the threaded groove 321 on the outer shell 11 and the flange ring 121. The other fastening bolts 32 are operated in the same way. Then, rotate the screw 221 clockwise. Since the screw 221 is threadedly connected to the left side of the outer shell 11 and the round block 222 is rotatably connected to the moving ring 22, the screw 221 will push the moving ring 22 to the right. When the right side of the moving ring 22 contacts the hinge plate 213, it will push it to rotate into the rectangular groove 21. When the moving ring 22 moves to the right limit position, the three hinge plates 213 have completely entered the corresponding rectangular grooves 21. At this time, the ventilation pipe 12 can be pulled out to the right.
[0031] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0032] The preferred embodiments of this utility model disclosed above are merely illustrative of the present utility model. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the present utility model to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present utility model, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize it. This utility model is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.
Claims
1. A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment, comprising a fixed pipe (1), wherein a shell (11) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the fixed pipe (1), a ventilation duct (12) is inserted into the right end of the fixed pipe (1), a flange ring (121) is fixedly connected to the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation duct (12), and a sealing gasket (13) is installed at the right end of the fixed pipe (1), characterized in that, Also includes: The disassembly and assembly mechanism (2) is located on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation pipe (12). The disassembly and assembly mechanism (2) is used to install and disassemble the fixed pipe (1) and the ventilation pipe (12). The disassembly and assembly mechanism (2) includes three rectangular slots (21). The inner wall of the rectangular slots (21) is hinged with a hinge plate (213). The inner wall of the outer shell (11) is slidably limited by a moving ring (22). The moving ring (22) is rotatably connected to a screw (221). Fastening mechanism (3) is located inside the housing (11) and is used to fasten the fixing pipe (1) and the ventilation pipe (12). The right side of the outer casing (11) contacts the left side of the flange ring (121), and the three rectangular grooves (21) are distributed in a ring on the left side of the outer surface of the ventilation pipe (12).
2. The ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The disassembly and assembly mechanism (2) includes three springs (212). The inner wall of the rectangular groove (21) is provided with a spring groove (211). One end of the spring (212) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the spring groove (211), and the other end of the spring (212) is fixedly connected to the side of the hinge plate (213) near the rectangular groove (21). The spring groove (211) is connected to the rectangular groove (21), the spring one (212) is used to push the hinge plate (213) to reset, and the spring groove (211) is used to accommodate the spring one (212).
3. The ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, A round block (222) is fixedly connected to the right end of the screw (221), the round block (222) is rotatably connected to the moving ring (22), and the screw (221) is threadedly connected to the left side of the outer shell (11). The right side of the moving ring (22) is an arc surface.
4. A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fastening mechanism (3) includes six bolts (31), the left side of each of the six bolts (31) is fixedly connected to the right side of the outer shell (11), and the flange ring (121) has six round holes on the right side, and the bolts (31) slide and limit the round holes on the flange ring (121). The outer left side of the bolt (31) is smooth, and the outer right side of the bolt (31) is threaded.
5. A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fastening mechanism (3) includes three fastening bolts (32), the flange ring (121) has three threaded grooves (321) on the right side, the ventilation pipe (12) has three threaded grooves (321) on the right side, the fastening bolts (32) are threadedly connected to the threaded grooves (321) on the flange ring (121) and the outer shell (11), and the fastening bolts (32) have an annular groove (322) on the left side of the outer surface of the fastening bolts (32). The flange ring (121) and the threaded groove (321) on the outer shell (11) are interconnected, and the annular groove (322) is arranged in annular shape.
6. A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, Three round tubes (33) are fixedly connected to the outer surface of the outer shell (11). A moving rod (331) is slidably limited inside the round tube (33). A pull block (332) is fixedly connected to one end of the moving rod (331) away from the outer shell (11). A fixing ring (333) is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the moving rod (331). The fixing ring (333) is slidably limited to the inner wall of the round tube (33). A second spring (334) is sleeved on the outer surface of the moving rod (331). One end of the second spring (334) is fixedly connected to the fixing ring (333), and the other end of the second spring (334) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the round tube (33). The fixing ring (333) is used to prevent the moving rod (331) from disengaging from the round tube (33), and the fixing ring (333) is used to support and install the second spring (334).
7. A ventilation duct connection structure for wind power generation equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The end of the moving rod (331) away from the pull block (332) is fixedly connected to a locking block (335). The locking block (335) is slidably limited to the outer shell (11). The locking block (335) is inserted into the annular groove (322). The outer surface of the moving ring (22) is provided with three transverse grooves (34). The locking block (335) has an inclined surface at the end away from the moving rod (331).