Conduit Fitting Adapter Sealing Exposed Threads Against Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conduit systems in the food and beverage industry face challenges in maintaining environmental integrity at connection points due to corrosion, contamination, and bacteria growth, particularly at exposed threads of conduit connections, which are not adequately protected by existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A fitting adapter with a polymeric gasket and a flange surface that covers exposed threads, forming a sealed connection between a conduit or transition adapter and a conduit body or device box, utilizing a body with a hollow core, lip, recess, and flange to prevent moisture ingress and bacterial growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conduit connections are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but environmental integrity deteriorates due to exposed threads allowing moisture ingress and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental integrityVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting adapter serves as an intermediary component between the conduit and conduit body, featuring a flange that covers exposed threads and a gasket that forms a sealed connection. This mediator protects the vulnerable threaded interface from environmental contaminants while maintaining the functional connection between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket component, made from elastomeric or polymeric material, provides a flexible sealing barrier that conforms to the connection interface. This flexible film prevents moisture and contaminant ingress through the threaded connection, maintaining environmental integrity without requiring rigid complex structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If exposed threads are left uncovered, then ease of assembly is maintained, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to moisture condensation and crevice corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting adapter is pre-assembled with the gasket and flange components before installation. The flange is positioned to cover exposed threads in advance, and the gasket is pre-placed to ensure proper sealing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field assembly steps while ensuring corrosion protection from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting adapter uses a simple, inexpensive gasket made from common elastomeric or polymeric material that provides effective corrosion protection. This economical component replaces complex expensive corrosion protection systems while maintaining ease of assembly through its simple design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If simple joint fittings are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sterility maintenance deteriorates due to lack of features to direct water away from connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidfitting design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting adapter applies local quality enhancement by adding specific protective features (flange and gasket) only at the critical connection point where environmental integrity is most needed. The rest of the conduit system maintains its simple design, allowing sterility maintenance at vulnerable points without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 fitting adapter effectively maintains environmental integrity by forming a sealed connection, preventing corrosion and contamination, and ensuring the sterility of conduit systems in food and beverage facilities.

Implementation Method 1

form a sealed connection where a conduit or transition adapter is connected to a conduit body or a device box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20240426406A1Fitting Adapter Configured to Maintain Environmental Integrity at a Connection Point

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 ROBROY IND -TEXAS LLC

AI summary

A fitting adapter for a conduit system includes a body having a first end, a second end, a hollow core, a lip, a recess, a flange, and a gasket formed of a polymeric material, sized and configured to be received by the body, and having a rim. The recess and the flange are sized and configured to receive the rim. The fitting adapter is configured to interact with a conduit or a transition adapter and a conduit body or a device box to form a sealed connection where a conduit or transition adapter is connected to a conduit body or a device box. A conduit system includes a conduit or transition adapter, a conduit body or device box, and a fitting adapter. A method of connecting a conduit or transition adapter to a fitting adapter and a conduit body or device box forms a hygienic and sealed connection therebetween.