Pressurized Fluid Circuit Breaker Sealing Layout for Compact Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers for pressurized fluid handling installations, such as hydrogen tank filling, face issues of excessive size due to high pressure requirements, leading to potential seal damage and inefficient compactness, which can cause leaks and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design with a male and female element configuration featuring a movable valve, distal and proximal seals positioned in external grooves, and optimized longitudinal distances to ensure compactness while maintaining fluid integrity, using minimal seals to prevent seal ejection under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large diameter seals are used to prevent seal ejection under high pressure, then seal reliability is improved, but the radial and longitudinal footprint of the circuit breaker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple seals (first seal and second seal) positioned at different locations along the male element. This segmentation allows each seal to be optimized for its specific position and pressure conditions, preventing seal ejection without requiring oversized single seals that would increase the overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The first seal is positioned upstream (distal) of the radial passage to preemptively seal against pressure forces before fluid can act on the second seal. This preliminary sealing action distributes the pressure load across multiple sealing points, maintaining reliability while allowing smaller individual seal dimensions.
2Productivity
If high filling pressure exceeding 300 bar is used to prevent excessively long filling times, then productivity is improved, but the risk of seal damage and ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first seal positioned distal to the radial passage provides preliminary sealing against high pressure forces before they can act on the second seal. This preliminary action allows the system to withstand high filling pressures (exceeding 300 bar) necessary for fast filling while protecting seals from damage and ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides beforehand cushioning by exerting a pre-compression force on the second seal, ensuring it remains seated against its seat even under high pressure conditions. This pre-cushioning mechanism maintains seal integrity during high-speed filling operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If compact design with minimal seals is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the risk of pressure-induced seal ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two strategically positioned seals rather than using a single large seal or multiple redundant seals. This segmented approach achieves reliable seal retention under pressure while maintaining device compactness and minimizing the number of sealing components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The first seal acts as an intermediary element that absorbs and redirects pressure forces away from the second seal. This intermediary sealing mechanism protects the second seal from direct exposure to high pressure forces that would otherwise cause ejection, enabling compact design with minimal seals.
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 achieves increased radial and axial compactness with improved reliability and minimal pressure-induced seal ejection, ensuring efficient fluid flow and enhanced safety in high-pressure applications.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pushing the first valve towards the advanced closing position
Implementation Method 2
The proximal and distal sealing gaskets cooperate radially with an internal radial surface of the female body delimiting the internal volume and with the external peripheral surface of the male body so as to fluidly isolate the radial passages from the outside of the circuit breaker
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
In the coupled configuration of the male (100) and female (200) elements of the circuit breaker (10), the first and second radial passages (126, 226) are in fluidic communication, and proximal (132) and distal (134) seals are arranged on either side of the radial passages. A first valve (110) comprises a distal stem (110C) sliding within a male body (102). In an intermediate coupling position, the proximal and distal seals are arranged on either side of the radial passages. The proximal and distal seals are received, respectively, in a proximal external peripheral groove (136) and a distal external peripheral groove (138) of the male body (102).A first longitudinal distance (d138), measured between the distal external peripheral groove and a median radial plane (P126) of the first radial passage, is strictly greater than a second longitudinal distance (d136), measured between the proximal external peripheral groove and the median radial plane.