Blanking Cap Safety Lugs for Pressurized Coupling Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blanking cap arrangements for pressurized systems are prone to the blanking cap flying off if the clamp is released while the system is pressurized, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly includes a blanking cap with safety lugs that extend around the outer circumference of the coupling member's connection flange, featuring abutments to limit axial movement of the blanking cap away from the coupling member, preventing it from flying off even if the clamp is released under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blanking cap is secured to a port ferrule using a clamp with seal member in a pressurized system, then the port can be effectively closed off, but the blanking cap may fly off if the clamp is released while the system is pressurized
Solution Approach 1:
The blanking cap is segmented into a disc-like member and a separate safety lug component. The safety lug is attached to the blanking cap and includes an abutment that engages with the connection flange, providing a mechanical stop that prevents the cap from flying off while maintaining seal integrity through the clamp and seal member arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If the blanking cap is designed to be easily removable for port access, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental removal under pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lug with abutment provides preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a mechanical constraint that opposes the force of pressurized ejection. The abutment engages with the connection flange to create a physical barrier that prevents the blanking cap from being ejected when removed from the clamped position, allowing operators to safely access ports even under pressure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly 10 includes a coupling member 12 having a first annular, radial connection flange 22 and a blanking cap 14 comprising a disc-like member 30 which defines a second, corresponding annular, radial connection flange 34. The connecting flanges are clamped together by a clamp (16) with a seal member 18 in-between. The blanking cap comprises a pair of safety lugs 62 attached to the disc-like member which each extend about an outer circumferential periphery of the first connection flange 22. Each safety lug has an abutment 68 for engagement with the first connection flange to limit axial movement of the disc-like member away from the coupling member. The lugs 62 prevent the blanking cap from flying off in the event the clamp is released whilst the interior of the coupling member is pressurised. The lugs 62 may each have a stop member 66 which defines the abutment and which may take the form of an elongate curved member extending circumferentially about an axis of the connection flanges. The clamp may be tri-clamp.