Annular Sleeve Shielding for High-Temperature Fluid-Handling Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mineral extraction systems, high temperatures cause deformation and loss of yield strength in fasteners and seals, leading to inadequate pressure and sealing issues in fluid-handling components.
Innovation Solution
The use of annular sleeves positioned about fasteners and seals in fluid-handling components to reduce heat transfer, maintaining strength and stability and ensuring reliable sealing under high temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners and seals are used in fluid-handling components, then the components can maintain structural integrity and sealing function, but they deform and lose yield strength when subjected to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sacrificial layer as an intermediary between the fastener/seal and the high-temperature environment. This layer absorbs the thermal stress and prevents direct heat transfer to the fastener and seal, thereby protecting them from deformation and yield strength loss while allowing the fluid-handling component to function at elevated temperatures
2Stability of the object's composition
If fasteners are used to secure flanges, then the component maintains structural stability, but the fasteners become unequally loaded and deform under high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial layer acts as a thermal barrier between the fastener and the high-temperature environment, preventing unequal loading and deformation of fasteners by distributing thermal stress uniformly and reducing heat transfer to the fastener components
3Reliability
If seals are used to prevent fluid leakage, then the component maintains sealing function, but the seals deform when subjected to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial layer serves as a protective intermediary that shields the seal from direct thermal exposure, preventing deformation and maintaining sealing reliability under high temperature conditions by absorbing thermal energy before it reaches the seal
4Reliability
If conventional fluid-handling components are used without protection, then the design remains simple, but they fail to meet fire test specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective system into separate modular components: a sacrificial layer that can be applied to individual fasteners and seals, and the base fluid-handling component. This segmentation allows the fire resistance function to be added without redesigning the entire component structure, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving fire test specifications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sleeves effectively shield fasteners and seals from high temperatures, maintaining pressure and preventing fluid leakage, while also improving fire resistance and meeting fire test specifications.
Implementation Method 1
The use of annular sleeves positioned about fasteners and seals in fluid-handling components to reduce heat transfer, maintaining strength and stability
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first body of a fluid-handling component and a second body of a fluid-handling component. The system also includes a fastener configured to couple the first body to the second body, and an annular sleeve configured to surround a portion of the fastener that is positioned at an interface between the first body and the second body when the first body and the second body are coupled to one another.