Adjustable Hose Clamping for Vacuum Mold Seal Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process faces challenges with leakages due to the use of cold shrink tubes for sealing hose connections, which are expensive, not designed for one-time use, and can damage steel branches, leading to hidden leaks and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable hose clamping arrangement using butyl tape for vacuum-tight sealing, allowing visual inspection and easy maintenance, without the need for cold shrink tubes, and featuring a clamping device that inhibits relative movement between the hose and the clamping device, ensuring a reliable seal even under pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cold shrink tubes are used for sealing hose connections, then vacuum-tight sealing is achieved, but the steel branch surface is damaged and leaks are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the cold shrink tube and relocates it to a separate sealing element (O-ring or gasket) that interfaces only with the steel branch surface. The cold shrink tube retains only its protective and insulating functions, while the dedicated sealing element can be easily replaced without damaging the steel branch.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separate sealing element (O-ring or gasket) as an intermediary between the cold shrink tube and the steel branch. This intermediary absorbs the sealing function and protects the steel branch surface from damage by sharp tools, while allowing for easy inspection and replacement.
2Reliability
If cold shrink tubes are used for sealing, then sealing is achieved, but inspection and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sealing system into distinct functional components: the cold shrink tube for protection, the sealing element for sealing, and the mounting structure for positioning. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be independently inspected, removed, and replaced without affecting the other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate sealing element acts as an accessible intermediary that can be visually inspected and easily replaced. Its distinct position and design allow maintenance personnel to detect sealing issues without disassembling the entire cold shrink tube assembly.
3Reliability
If cold shrink tubes are used, then sealing is provided, but replacement is difficult and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the cold shrink tube and assigned to a separate, easily replaceable sealing element. This element can be removed and replaced without cutting or damaging the cold shrink tube, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed as a low-cost, easily replaceable component (such as an O-ring or gasket) that can be quickly swapped out when worn or damaged. This approach is more economical than replacing the entire cold shrink tube assembly.
4Reliability
If cold shrink tubes are used, then sealing is achieved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a low-cost component that can be easily replaced, reducing the overall operational cost compared to replacing expensive cold shrink tubes. The separation of functions allows the inexpensive sealing element to be swapped without wasting the more expensive protective tube.
Solution Approach 2:
When the sealing element wears out, only that specific component is discarded and replaced, while the cold shrink tube and mounting structure are retained and reused. This selective replacement minimizes material waste and operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable hose clamping arrangement for vacuum-tight sealing of a hose of a flexible insert to a free end of a steel branch of a vacuum mold. The adjustable hose clamping arrangement includes a clamping device configured for fixedly clamping the hose such that a relative movement between the hose and the clamping device is inhibited, a mold bracket configured for being mountable to the steel branch of the vacuum mold, and two connecting devices, wherein a first end of each of the two connecting devices is connected to the clamping device and a second end of each of the two connecting devices being opposite of the first end, is connected to the mold bracket such that an outer surface of the hose next to a free end of the steel branch is accessible for the vacuum-tight sealing between the hose and the free end of the steel branch.