Cryogenic Valve Sliding Insertion Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assembling space vehicle engine components, such as bolting and welding, either increase weight and cost or hinder maintenance due to lack of disassembly capability, and are unreliable under extreme temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fluid flow duct with a sliding valve assembly featuring internal and external abutments and sealing elements, allowing for selective closure and integration with the engine while enabling disassembly, with the valve being bolted into the duct's insertion interface and the duct itself assembled by welding for mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If components are assembled by bolting, then the engine can be disassembled for maintenance, but the total weight increases and cost increases due to additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of bolting (disassembly capability) and welding (weight reduction) by creating a hybrid connection system. The valve body is welded to the duct while incorporating bolt holes that allow for controlled disassembly. This combining approach eliminates the need for separate flange connections and gaskets, reducing overall weight while maintaining maintenance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is segmented into multiple functional zones: welding zones for permanent attachment, bolt hole zones for reversible attachment, and sealing zones. This segmentation allows different assembly methods to be applied to different parts of the same connection, optimizing both weight and maintainability.
2Weight of stationary object
If components are assembled by welding, then weight is reduced and reliability is improved, but the engine cannot be disassembled for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static welded joint to a dynamic hybrid joint that can change state between permanently welded and reversibly bolted. The bolt holes provide the dynamic capability to disassemble and reassemble the valve body from the duct, while the welded portions maintain structural integrity and weight efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are used in bolted assemblies, then sealing is provided, but reliability decreases due to the number of potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from separate gasket components and integrates it directly into the valve body and duct interfaces. The sealing surfaces are built into the welded connection areas, eliminating the need for separate gasket elements and reducing the number of potential failure points while maintaining effective sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprising a duct (1) for passing a flow of cryogenic fluid, and a valve (2);the assembly being characterized in that the duct (1) includes an interface for inserting the valve, the interface forming an internal abutment (51) and an external abutment (52);the valve (2) being configured in such a manner as to be inserted into said insertion interface by sliding, the valve (2) comprising a valve body (3) presenting a first end (31) and a second end (32), the valve body (3) being adapted to be bolted in said insertion interface in such a manner that the first end (31) and the second end (32) come into abutment respectively against the internal abutment (51) and against the external abutment (52), the assembly including an internal sealing element (61) arranged between the internal abutment (51) and the first end (31), and an external sealing element (62) arranged between the external abutment (52) and the second end (32).