Automated Coupler Assembly With Locking Dogs for Leak-Safe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conduit couplers require manual actuation, increasing exposure to hazardous conditions and risking leaks due to incomplete securing, leading to equipment damage and personnel injury.
Innovation Solution
An automated coupler assembly with a male and female coupler body, featuring a locking ring, locking dog, piston, seal assembly, and linear actuator, allowing for remote operation and secure, sealed connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual actuation with multiple fasteners is used, then the coupler can be securely connected, but personnel exposure time to hazardous conditions increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical fastening system with an automated coupling mechanism featuring interlocking dogs and cam-actuated locking. The automated system uses a coupling arm with actuating dogs that automatically engage locking rings on the pipe ends, eliminating the need for manual bolt installation while ensuring secure mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler assembly is designed to self-lock through the interaction of coupling dogs, locking rings, and cam surfaces. When the coupling arm is actuated, the dogs automatically engage with the locking rings and the cam mechanism ensures positive locking without requiring manual intervention to secure the connection, enabling the system to secure itself automatically.
2Ease of operation
If manual actuation is used, then personnel can operate the coupler, but the risk of incomplete securing and leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism through the cam-actuated locking system and seal compression arrangement. As the coupling arm is actuated, the cam surfaces provide mechanical feedback that ensures the locking dogs are fully engaged with the locking rings. Additionally, the seal compression is automatically adjusted through the cam mechanism to ensure proper sealing contact, providing built-in verification of secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual fastening system is replaced with an automated mechanical coupling system that uses interlocking dogs, locking rings, and cam surfaces to ensure consistent and complete securing. This automated mechanism eliminates human error in determining whether fasteners are properly tightened, ensuring reliable sealing integrity through precise mechanical engagement.
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners are installed manually, then the connection can be secured, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fastening functions into a single integrated coupling arm mechanism. Instead of using multiple separate fasteners (bolts, nuts, washers), the design combines the locking, sealing, and securing functions into one automated coupling assembly with interlocking dogs and cam-actuated components that perform all fastening operations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple traditional fasteners by replacing them with a specialized coupling mechanism featuring dogs and locking rings. This extraction of the fastening function from conventional multi-component fastener systems simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining secure connection reliability.
4Loss of time
If automated actuation is implemented, then exposure time is reduced, but the linear actuator and control systems increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cam mechanism as an intermediary between the linear actuator and the locking dogs. The cam converts the linear actuator's linear motion into the rotational or oscillating motion needed to actuate the coupling dogs, providing mechanical advantage and motion transformation without requiring complex control systems or multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear actuator provides automated actuation through pneumatic or hydraulic means, enabling rapid coupling operation without manual intervention. This automated actuation system reduces coupling time significantly while the mechanical cam and dog mechanism keeps the control complexity manageable through simple on/off actuation control.
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
Reduces exposure time to hazardous environments and minimizes leaks by ensuring secure, automated coupler assembly connections.
Implementation Method 1
the seal rings are longitudinally compressed when in the sealed position
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler assembly includes a male coupler assembly and a female coupler assembly. The male coupler body includes an annular locking ring. The female coupler assembly includes locking dogs that abut the locking ring when the male coupler assembly is fully inserted into the female coupler assembly and can be displaced radially outward as the male coupler assembly is inserted into the female coupler assembly. The female coupler assembly includes a piston that is movable using one or more linear actuators such that movement of the piston engages a seal assembly to form a seal between the male coupler assembly and the female coupler assembly. The female coupler assembly also includes a collar that is also moved by the linear actuators that holds the locking dogs into engagement with the locking ring, retaining the male coupler assembly to the female coupler assembly.