Closing Plug Screw Seal to Prevent Flow Passage Scale
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for closing open ends of flow passages in flow passage blocks with fluid control apparatuses are time-consuming and prone to scale formation, making it difficult to completely prevent fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A closing plug comprising a gasket that contacts an annular projection in the flow passage block, a columnar pressing member to press the gasket, and a closing plug screw that screws into a female screw to press the pressing member against the gasket, effectively sealing the open end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach the closing plug, then the closing plug can be securely attached, but scale is formed on the weld which decreases corrosion resistance and may fall into the flow passage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the welding process from the attachment method. Instead of welding the closing plug to the flow passage block, the patent uses a pressing member that applies mechanical pressure to press the closing plug against the block. This removes the source of scale formation while maintaining secure attachment through friction and normal force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal-mechanical welding system with a purely mechanical pressing system. The pressing member applies continuous mechanical pressure to maintain the closing plug in contact with the flow passage block, substituting the permanent bond of welding with a sustained mechanical force that avoids scale formation.
2Reliability
If welding is used to close multiple open ends, then all openings can be sealed, but the welding work requires much time and it is difficult to completely eliminate scale risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the time-consuming welding process with a rapid mechanical pressing operation. The pressing member can be quickly positioned and activated to seal multiple open ends simultaneously or in rapid succession, eliminating the sequential welding operations that consume significant time while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is designed to be pre-positioned or easily adjustable to multiple locations on the flow passage block. This preliminary positioning capability allows the same pressing mechanism to quickly seal multiple open ends without requiring reconfiguration or setup time between each sealing operation.
3Strength
If a metal lid member with welding is used to seal the open end, then the sealing can be strong, but descaling operation is required to remove scale from the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the descaling operation from the manufacturing process by eliminating welding entirely. The pressing member creates a scale-free interface between the closing plug and flow passage block, removing the need for subsequent descaling operations and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the welding-descale two-step process with a single mechanical pressing operation. The pressing member applies sufficient force to create a reliable seal without generating scale, thereby eliminating the need for the separate descaling step and reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 reliably prevents fluid leakage by ensuring the gasket bites into the annular projection, while also reducing the risk of scale formation and allowing for a smaller size of the closing plug screw, thus simplifying the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket (5) which seals against an annular projection (4) formed in a step portion (2b) inside the open end (20)
Implementation Method 2
a pressing member (6) which is pressed by a closing plug screw (7) against the gasket (5)
Implementation Method 3
a closing plug screw (7) which is screwed into a female screw (2a) formed in an inner peripheral surface (20a) on the open end side from the step portion (2b) and which moves the pressing member (6) toward the gasket (5)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a closing plug capable of easily closing an open end of a flow passage without concern of scale. The closing plug includes: a gasket configured to come into contact with an annular projection formed in a step portion inside the open end of the flow passage of a flow passage block; a columnar pressing member formed by cutting out an inner side of a pressing surface so as to press a peripheral edge portion of the gasket; and a closing plug screw configured to be screwed into a female screw formed in an inner peripheral surface on an open end side from the step portion and press the pressing member toward the gasket by movement caused by screwing.