Ball and Socket Coupling Single-Axis Motion Limiting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball and socket fluid couplings in aircraft fuel delivery systems face challenges in minimizing relative axial rotation parallel to fluid flow, which complicates the design, increases cost, and reduces performance.
Innovation Solution
A ball and socket coupling design that incorporates a motion limiting structure to restrict relative motion to a single axis perpendicular to the fluid flow, utilizing a primary and secondary retaining structure, an annular seal assembly, and anti-rotation features to prevent unwanted rotations and axial movements, effectively functioning as a hinge joint while maintaining fluid flow integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional ball and socket coupling is used to permit relative rotation between ball housing and socket housing, then articulation freedom is improved, but unwanted axial rotation parallel to fluid flow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into multiple functional components: a ball housing and socket housing for articulation, and a separate motion limiting structure with tabs and slots that independently constrain axial rotation. This segmentation allows the coupling to provide articulation freedom while preventing unwanted axial rotation parallel to fluid flow.
2Ease of operation
If motion limiting structures are added to restrict relative motion to a single axis, then axial rotation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion limiting structure is merged with the ball and socket coupling assembly, where tabs are attached to the ball housing and slots are formed in the socket housing. This integration allows the coupling to provide both articulation and axial rotation control within a unified structure, avoiding the need for separate complex constraint mechanisms.
3Reliability
If retaining structures are added to prevent axial movement, then fluid flow integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tabs and slots structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it limits axial rotation, provides retaining functionality to prevent axial movement, and maintains fluid flow integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while improving reliability.
4Ease of operation
If anti-rotation features are incorporated to prevent unwanted rotations, then rotational control is improved, but overall coupling size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion limiting structure with tabs and slots is nested within the existing ball and socket coupling geometry. The tabs are attached to the ball housing and fit within the socket housing, utilizing the existing internal space. This nesting approach provides rotational control without significantly increasing the overall coupling size.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A ball and socket coupling (100) is provided. The ball and socket coupling (100) includes a ball body (102) having a passage (122) extending therethrough and a ball portion (114), and a socket body (104) having a conduit (144) extending therethrough and a ball receiving portion (136) configured to receive the ball portion (114) of the ball body (102). The ball and socket coupling (100) also includes a retaining structure (106) disposed in the passage (122) of the ball body (102) and the conduit (144) of the socket body(104), where the retaining structure (106) is configured to operatively couple the ball body (102) and the socket body (104) together for permitting relative motion therebetween. The ball and socket coupling (100) further includes a motion limiting structure (112) associated with the retaining structure (106) and configured to limit relative motion between the ball body (102) and the socket body (104) to rotation about a single axis (RR) that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow (F) through the ball and socket coupling (100).