Asymmetric Sealing Ring for Press Fitting Leak Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing press fitting arrangements with sealing rings face issues of pre-press leak closure due to fluid flow forces exceeding the sealing ring's ability to maintain a gap, leading to unintended sealing before a pressing action is applied, which can result in leakage paths being closed prematurely.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring design with a circular cross-section for the majority of its circumference and non-circular sections featuring recesses and projections, where the outside diameter is larger than the bead's inside diameter and the inside diameter is smaller than the tube's outside diameter, preventing displacement and ensuring a non-removable sealed connection by maintaining the gap and resisting fluid pressure forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the sealing ring has a circular cross-section with diameter smaller than the bead-inner diameter minus tube-outer diameter, then the gap is formed allowing fluid flow, but the fluid flow force exceeds the sealing ring holding force causing pre-press closure of the leak path
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring employs an asymmetric cross-sectional design with a non-circular profile featuring flattened sides and rounded corners. This asymmetric geometry creates differential contact pressures against the bead and tube surfaces, enhancing the sealing ring's ability to resist fluid flow forces while maintaining a controlled gap. The asymmetric shape distributes mechanical forces more effectively, preventing premature closure of the leak path before pressing action is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring incorporates regions of varying cross-sectional properties along its circumference. Specifically, the flattened sides provide enhanced contact area with the bead for structural support, while the rounded corners maintain flexibility for sealing against the tube. This local variation in geometric quality allows different portions of the sealing ring to perform specialized functions: maintaining gap height in some regions while providing sealing contact in others, thereby controlling leak path closure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sealing ring outside diameter is larger than the bead inside diameter, then the sealing ring prevents displacement and centralizes within the bead, but the insertion and pressing action becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric cross-section with flattened sides and rounded corners creates directional insertion characteristics. The flattened sides allow the sealing ring to be inserted more easily in a specific orientation, while the overall larger outside diameter ensures proper centralization within the bead during the pressing action. This asymmetric geometry provides mechanical guidance that facilitates insertion while maintaining position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring utilizes controlled variations in cross-sectional dimensions and material properties to balance insertion ease with position stability. The flattened regions have reduced thickness to facilitate insertion, while the overall diameter remains larger than the bead inner diameter to ensure proper seating and centralization. This parameter optimization allows the sealing ring to be inserted with reduced resistance while maintaining stable positioning under pressing loads.
3Reliability
If the sealing ring inside diameter is smaller than the tube outside diameter, then the sealing ring maintains gap and resists fluid pressure, but the sealing ring experiences higher stress during pressing action
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring features localized variations in cross-sectional thickness and material density to manage stress distribution. The flattened sides have optimized thickness to maintain gap height while reducing stress concentration, whereas the rounded corners have increased thickness to provide enhanced stress resistance during pressing actions. This local quality differentiation allows the sealing ring to simultaneously maintain the gap against fluid pressure and withstand the mechanical stresses of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring employs composite material construction with regions of varying durometer and elasticity. Softer material regions are positioned in areas requiring flexibility for gap maintenance and conforming to surfaces, while harder material regions are placed in areas subject to high stress during pressing. This composite approach enables the sealing ring to perform multiple functions with optimized mechanical properties in different locations, balancing gap maintenance capability with stress resistance.
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 design effectively maintains the leak path and prevents premature closure, ensuring a fluid-tight connection by resisting fluid pressure and allowing for centralization within the bead, even under eccentric conditions, and facilitating insertion and expansion during pressing actions.
Implementation Method 1
resisting fluid pressure forces
Implementation Method 2
allowing for centralization within the bead, even under eccentric conditions, and facilitating insertion and expansion during pressing actions
Data Source
AI summary
A press fitting arrangement includes a sealing ring to be housed within a bead of a press fitting into which a tube is to be inserted. There is at least one gap between the press fitting together with the sealing ring and the tube which is closed by pressing at least one portion of the press fitting. The sealing ring has at least one first portion along the majority of its circumference. Each first portion of the sealing ring has an outside diameter (SOD1) prior to fitment into the press fitting bead which is larger than the inside bead diameter (BID) and an inside diameter (SID1) prior to the insertion of the tube which is less than the tube outside diameter (TOD). Additionally, the sealing ring has at least one pair of diametrically opposing second portions, each second portion of the sealing ring comprising a recess between the two projections.