Connecting Device with Spherical Cam for Cryogenic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for high-pressure and low-temperature applications face challenges in achieving reliable sealing with compactness and strength, particularly when using materials with low hardness, which are not sufficient to withstand caulking forces.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a displacement mechanism comprising a pusher member, an off-centered lever, connecting rod rings, and a rear housing, featuring separate and parallel articulation diameters, allowing for reduced contact pressures and enhanced compactness through a sphere portion-on-cone trunk sealing mechanism using metal-on-metal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If linear contacts between cam supported by lever and ring are used to achieve cone trunk-on-cone trunk sealing, then sealing is achieved, but high forces are required and compactness/strength are compromised when materials have low hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces linear contact with spherical contact by introducing a cam member with a spherical contact surface that contacts the ring member. This spherical contact distributes the caulking forces over a larger area, reducing contact pressure and allowing the use of softer materials while maintaining sealing reliability through the metal-on-metal cone trunk-on-cone trunk contact.
2Reliability
If high forces are exerted on cam lever to achieve sealing, then cone trunk-on-cone trunk sealing is produced, but device compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surface on the cam member enables the same sealing force to be achieved with a more compact lever arm configuration. The spherical geometry provides a more favorable mechanical advantage, reducing the required lever arm length and overall device volume while maintaining the necessary caulking force for reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from linear contact (one-dimensional force application) to spherical contact (three-dimensional force distribution). This dimensional change allows the force to be distributed over a spherical surface area, achieving the same sealing effect with reduced force magnitude and more compact actuation mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If materials with low hardness are used for compatibility with certain fluids, then fluid compatibility is improved, but ability to withstand caulking forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surface distributes the caulking load over a larger area, reducing the contact pressure to levels that softer, fluid-compatible materials can withstand. This allows the use of austenitic stainless steels and other soft materials that are compatible with cryogenic and corrosive fluids while still achieving reliable metal-on-metal sealing.
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 provides a reliable and ergonomic connection with reduced contact pressures, enabling the use of less hard materials suitable for high-pressure and low-temperature applications, including cryogenics, while maintaining structural integrity and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
an off-centered member (60), one connecting rod ring member (70) and one rear housing (85) that is formed in the end body (20), defining: a first articulation diameter between the pusher member (50) and the off-centered member (60) around a first axis (A1), a second articulation diameter between the off-centered member (60) and the connecting rod ring member (70) around a second axis (A2)
Implementation Method 2
Actuating the cam lever causes the two frustoconical surfaces to come closer together, then applying contact pressure, thereby producing cone trunk-on-cone trunk sealing within the device
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device for transmitting pressurized fluids including a pipe having an inner flow channel, a body including an inner cavity isolated from the inner flow channel, and a displacement member for moving the pipe in the body between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration and wherein the displacement member includes a pusher member movable within the body, an off-centered member connected to the slide member, a connecting rod ring and a rear housing formed in the body, defining a first articulation diameter (φ1) between the pusher member and the off-centered member around a first axis (A1), a second articulation diameter (φ2) between the off-centered member and the connecting rod member around a second axis (A2), and a third articulation diameter (φ3) between the connecting rod ring and the rear housing around a third axis (A3) and wherein the three axes are separate and parallel to a transverse direction transverse of the device.