One-Sided Compression Seal Assembly for Wall Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression seals require access to both sides of a wall for installation, making it impractical for situations where access is limited or impossible from one side.
Innovation Solution
A compression seal assembly that includes a core member with external threads, a split washer, and a flange, allowing the seal to be installed from one side by threading a nut onto the external threads, which compresses the split washer and applies an axial load, sealing the conduit without needing access from the opposite side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional seals are used that require access to both sides of the wall, then the seal can be properly installed and secured, but the installation becomes impractical when access to one side is limited or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a mounting plate that interfaces with the wall, a seal element that provides the sealing function, and a fastening mechanism with externally threaded nut. This segmentation allows the mounting plate and seal element to be installed from one side while the fastening mechanism can be operated from the accessible side, eliminating the need for simultaneous two-sided access.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism uses an externally threaded nut instead of the conventional internally threaded configuration. This inversion allows the nut to be threaded onto the core member from the accessible side of the wall, reversing the traditional approach where the fastening component would need to be accessed from both sides. The external threading enables the fastening operation to be performed entirely from one side.
2Reliability
If a nut is held on one side of the wall with a wrench while another component on the other side is rotated, then the seal can be tightened, but this requires coordination between persons on each side
Solution Approach 1:
The threading interface is extracted from the wall assembly and placed entirely on the accessible side. The externally threaded nut and corresponding internal threads on the core member are positioned such that both the nut and the threading operation occur on the same side of the wall, eliminating the need for coordinated operation from both sides while maintaining secure tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is designed to be self-contained on the accessible side, where the fastening mechanism automatically secures the seal element to the wall through the externally threaded nut. The design eliminates the need for external coordination or assistance from the other side of the wall, allowing a single installer to complete the entire tightening operation independently.
3Reliability
If components are installed to one side of the wall and then the other, then the seal can be assembled, but this sequential installation increases installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate, seal element, and fastening mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly that can be installed as one unit from one side of the wall. The core member passes through the wall with the mounting plate and seal element positioned on the inaccessible side, while the externally threaded nut is secured on the accessible side, allowing complete installation from a single side and eliminating sequential two-sided installation steps.
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
Enables the installation and sealing of conduits on walls with limited access, ensuring a secure and effective seal without the need for simultaneous access from both sides, facilitating easier installation in constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
tightening the first nut on the first set of external threads compresses the split washer and wall between the flange and first nut
Implementation Method 2
the split washer is deflected into a flat condition to apply an axial load on the first nut
Data Source
AI summary
A compression seal assembly that can be installed on a wall without requiring access to both sides of the wall. The compression seal comprises a core member, a split washer, a gasket, and a first nut. The core member includes a cylindrical body and a flange rigidly attached to the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a smooth cylindrical portion separating the flange from a first set of threads. The split washer is helical shaped and has a first end and a second end. The split washer is ramped through the hole until the split washer is entirely on the first side of the wall. A gasket is then inserted onto the smooth cylindrical portion adjacent the second side of the wall, and the first nut is threaded onto the first set of threads. As the first nut is tightened, the split washer, the wall and the gasket are compressed between the flange and first nut.