Convex Male Fitting Geometry for Low-Torque Line Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe connectors are inadequate for providing effective sealing for a wide variety of fluids, particularly at elevated pressures and temperatures, and are not compatible with applications involving steam, hot oil, or water-glycol mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A convex male connector with a conical sealing frustum and enhanced surface properties, such as coatings or plating, is used to form a line-seal with a female connector, reducing seating torque and improving sealing performance across various fluid types and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pipe connectors are used, then the connector structure is simple, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates under elevated pressures and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector employs a conical sealing frustum with convex curvature instead of flat or concave surfaces. This convex curved contour creates optimal line contact with the female connector's concave surface, concentrating sealing pressure along a line rather than distributing it over an area, thereby achieving superior sealing effectiveness under high pressure and temperature conditions while maintaining relatively simple connector geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the geometric parameters of the sealing surface by introducing a specific convex curvature radius and conical angle to the male connector's sealing frustum. These parameter changes optimize the contact pressure distribution and line seal formation, enabling reliable sealing under elevated pressures and temperatures without significantly increasing overall connector complexity
2Reliability
If conventional sealing surfaces are used, then manufacturing is easier, but sealing performance deteriorates for steam, hot oil, or water-glycol mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curved sealing surface is machined or formed on the male connector with a controlled radius of curvature. This curved geometry is more resistant to surface defects and misalignment compared to flat surfaces, providing consistent line contact sealing performance for challenging fluids like steam, hot oil, and water-glycol mixtures. The curvature can be achieved through standard machining operations, balancing manufacturing feasibility with enhanced sealing reliability
3Reliability
If increased seating pressure is applied, then sealing effectiveness improves, but seating torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curved contour of the male connector's sealing frustum concentrates the sealing force along a line contact with the female connector. This line contact mechanism achieves effective sealing at lower seating pressures compared to area contact, thereby reducing the required seating torque while maintaining reliable sealing. The curvature geometry optimizes the mechanical advantage of the conical thread engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented from the overall connector structure by using a dedicated conical sealing frustum with convex curvature. This segmented approach allows the sealing surface to be optimized independently for line contact sealing, decoupling the sealing pressure requirements from the overall connector strength and enabling lower seating torque while maintaining effective sealing
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a male connector for establishing a line-seal for transport of fluids between pipes. The male connector is structured to increase a seating pressure of the line-seal. The male connector comprises a male portion provided at one end of the male connector. The male portion typically comprises a conical sealing frustum provided at one end of the male connector, such that the conical sealing frustum comprises convex sides. Moreover, the male connector is structured to be operatively coupled to a predetermined female connector such that the conical sealing frustum forms a substantially line-seal with the predetermined female connector for transport of a process fluid therethrough.