High Pressure Bellows Assembly with Incompressible Fluid Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-pressure bellows assemblies in deep-sea drilling applications face challenges with pressure differentials that can lead to premature wear and failure, as they are prone to full compression and radial collapse when pressure control is compromised, reducing their useful life.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure bellows assembly design featuring interconnecting housings, bellows, and valve mechanisms that maintain a controlled pressure differential by selectively closing valves before full expansion or compression occurs, using incompressible fluid and secondary pressure absorption arrangements like Belleville washers to mitigate pressure spikes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a bellows assembly is used in high-pressure deep-sea drilling applications, then it can provide the necessary actuation force, but it is prone to full compression and radial collapse when pressure control is compromised, reducing its reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation forceVSAvoidresistance to compression and collapse

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows assembly is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently respond to pressure changes. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute and manage stress more effectively, preventing complete compression and radial collapse while maintaining the necessary actuation force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates pre-compression features and pressure equalization mechanisms that prepare the bellows assembly to resist sudden pressure changes. By establishing a balanced pressure state beforehand, the system prevents catastrophic compression and collapse events, enhancing reliability while preserving actuation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pressure differentials are not controlled, then the bellows can expand and compress freely, but this leads to premature wear and failure, reducing operational life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree expansion and compressionVSAvoidoperational life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows assembly incorporates pressure sensing and feedback mechanisms that monitor pressure differentials in real-time. When excessive differentials are detected, the system automatically adjusts or restricts expansion and compression, preventing premature wear and extending operational life while maintaining adaptability to normal pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows controlled changes in operational parameters such as pressure differentials and expansion rates. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on operating conditions, the system maintains free expansion and compression within safe limits, preventing premature failure while extending operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If the bellows assembly is designed for high-pressure operation, then it can withstand the required pressure differentials, but it becomes more susceptible to radial collapse when pressure control is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differential resistanceVSAvoidradial collapse susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows assembly incorporates counterbalancing structures and pressure equalization features that offset the harmful effects of high pressure differentials. These counterweight mechanisms prevent radial collapse by maintaining balanced pressure distribution, allowing the assembly to withstand required pressure differentials while resisting collapse when pressure control is compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The design employs composite material structures that combine materials with complementary properties. This composite construction provides both the strength to withstand high pressure differentials and the flexibility to resist radial collapse, enhancing overall performance in high-pressure deep-sea drilling applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively minimizes pressure differentials across the bellows, extending their operational life by preventing full compression and radial collapse, ensuring reliable operation in high-pressure environments.

Implementation Method 1

using incompressible fluid and secondary pressure absorption arrangements like Belleville washers to mitigate pressure spikes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIncompressible fluid pressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

secondary pressure absorption arrangements like Belleville washers to mitigate pressure spikes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9512835B2High pressure bellows assembly

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 ALLOY BELLOWS & PRECISION WELDING

AI summary

A high pressure bellows assembly is disclosed herein. The high pressure bellows assembly includes a first bellows being reversibly expandable. The high pressure bellows assembly also includes a second bellows being reversibly expandable. The high pressure bellows assembly also includes a chamber including a first portion encircling the first bellows, a second portion including an interior of the second bellows, and a third portion placing the first and second portion in fluid communication.