Crimp Sealing Conduit Fitting for Hazardous Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conduit connections in hazardous environments often fail to meet explosion-proof standards due to dimensional variations and imperfections in conduits, making sealing cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly with threaded joints.

Innovation Solution

A conduit fitting with crimp regions and sealant media, such as pressure-sensitive adhesives, injectable sealants, microcapsule matrices, heat-activated seals, and chambered seals, that create an explosion-proof seal without requiring threaded connections, allowing for quicker and more reliable sealing in hazardous environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If threaded joints are used to seal conduit connections, then explosion-proof sealing is achieved, but installation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosion-proof sealingVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical threaded joint system with a crimping system that uses radial compression force. The crimping tool applies radial force to deform the conduit and fitting together, creating a sealed connection without threads. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming threading operation while maintaining explosion-proof sealing through the crimped joint geometry and sealant integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates sealant media (such as gaskets, O-rings, or sealant compounds) into the fitting during manufacturing, positioned at the crimping interface. This preliminary placement of sealing elements eliminates the need for separate sealing operations during installation. The sealant is pre-positioned to be compressed between the conduit and fitting when crimping occurs, ensuring explosion-proof sealing is achieved automatically as part of the crimping process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional sealing methods are used, then conduit connections can be made, but dimensional variations in conduit prevent reliable sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit connection reliabilityVSAvoidconduit dimensional tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a crimping process that applies controlled radial compression force to deform both the conduit and fitting. This deformation allows the connection to accommodate dimensional variations in the conduit while still achieving proper seal compression. The crimping parameters (force, displacement, geometry) are designed to compensate for conduit tolerance variations, ensuring reliable sealing despite manufacturing imperfections in the conduit dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sealant media as an intermediary element between the conduit and fitting. This sealant layer compensates for dimensional variations and surface imperfections by providing a compliant sealing interface. The sealant deforms under crimping force to fill gaps and ensure continuous sealing, bridging the tolerance gaps that would otherwise prevent reliable explosion-proof connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If threaded joints are used for conduit sealing, then explosion-proof standards are met, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosion-proof complianceVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the extended threaded joint structure with a compact crimping connection. The crimping mechanism creates a sealed joint in a single location without requiring the extended threading engagement length. This reduces the linear space required for the connection while maintaining explosion-proof compliance through the crimped seal geometry and integrated sealant, allowing installations in tighter spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables faster and more reliable sealing of conduit connections in hazardous environments, meeting standards like UL 1203 and CSA 22.2 #30, while reducing installation time and space requirements, and providing a variety of sealing options for different environments.

Implementation Method 1

a crimp feature configured to be crimped

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Force

Implementation Method 2

at least one sealant medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11075511B2Hazardous environment conduit sealing

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A conduit fitting for a hazardous environment includes a main body that has a distal portion and a proximate portion. The main body includes a longitudinal bore with openings at each of the distal portion and the proximate portion. The opening is configured to receive ends of a conduit. The fitting includes a first sealing region that includes a crimp feature configured to be crimped and a second sealing region adjacent the first sealing region. The second sealing region is configured to house a sealing component.