CSST Sealing Device with Hinged Bushing for Lightning Flashover Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas and liquid piping systems using corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) face challenges with electrical currents from lightning strikes, leading to potential flashovers due to induced voltages, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device comprising a body member, nut, and bushing with a trailing hinged portion that compresses against the corrugated tubing, forming electrical continuity with the conductive layer and providing a gastight seal, designed to dissipate electrical energy and prevent flashovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rigid black iron piping systems are used, then electrical continuity and flashover protection are maintained, but ease of installation and speed of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing acts as an intermediary component between the CSST and the fitting, providing both mechanical support and electrical continuity. The conductive material in the bushing maintains electrical pathways while the CSST provides ease of installation, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and electrical reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device uses composite construction with conductive materials integrated into the bushing and sealing components. This composite approach maintains electrical continuity (like traditional iron piping) while accommodating the flexible CSST (providing ease of installation), thus resolving the technical contradiction
2Ease of operation
If corrugated stainless steel tubing is used, then ease of installation and flexibility are improved, but protection against electrical flashovers from lightning strikes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device converts the potentially harmful electrical energy from lightning strikes into a beneficial protective mechanism. The conductive components provide controlled electrical pathways that safely dissipate lightning-induced voltages, preventing flashovers while maintaining the installation advantages of CSST
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device provides beforehand protection by incorporating conductive elements and grounding pathways in advance of potential lightning strikes. The bushing and sealing components are pre-configured to handle electrical surges, cushioning the system against flashover risks before they occur
3Reliability
If a sealing device is designed to provide both gastight seal and electrical continuity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the CSST, creates a gastight seal against the fitting, and maintains electrical continuity through its conductive material. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device merges the sealing function and electrical continuity function into a single integrated assembly. The bushing and sealing components are combined to perform both gas sealing and electrical conduction, reducing device complexity while enhancing overall reliability through functional integration
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 effectively dissipates electrical energy from lightning strikes, preventing flashovers and ensuring a secure, gastight seal in CSST systems, enhancing safety and reliability by establishing electrical continuity and managing induced voltages.
Implementation Method 1
The trailing hinged portion is adapted and configured for inward compression against the corrugated tubing received within the bushing as the nut is advanced over the trailing hinged portion
Implementation Method 2
a corrugated tubing including a conductive layer and an external layer
Implementation Method 3
a nut adapted and configured for threaded engagement with the body member, the nut defining an internal shoulder
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention provides a sealing device for connecting a length of corrugated tubing. The sealing device includes: a body member defining a sleeve portion; a nut adapted and configured for threaded engagement with the body member, the nut defining an internal shoulder; and a bushing. The bushing includes: an annular internal rib located on a proximal end, the annular internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing; a medial external rib adapted and configured to be engaged by the internal shoulder of the nut and to advance the bushing within the sleeve portion of the body member; and a trailing hinged portion located on a distal end. The trailing hinged portion is adapted and configured for inward compression against the corrugated tubing received within the bushing as the nut is advanced over the trailing hinged portion.