Fluid Cylinder Block Stress Distributing Joint
Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid cylinder blocks in pressurized fluid delivery systems have a short service life due to cyclic fatigue stress from oscillating pressures, and existing attempts to alleviate stress, such as complete bore offsetting, compromise flow dynamics and increase costs by requiring customized components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating stress distributing joints with grooves in the fluid cylinder block that have a major dimension greater than the bore diameter, which redistributes load and reduces stress, allowing for the use of standard components and optimizing fluid dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If completely offsetting the axis of one bore relative to the axis of other bores, then stress in the fluid cylinder block is reduced, but flow dynamics deteriorate and servicing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing stress distributing joints only at specific high-stress locations (junctions where bores intersect) rather than uniformly offsetting all bore axes. This localized approach reduces stress where needed while maintaining optimal flow dynamics in the bore configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stress distributing joints segment the stress paths by creating grooves that divide and redirect stress flows around critical junction areas, allowing the block to handle oscillating pressures without requiring complete bore offsetting that would compromise flow dynamics.
2Strength
If completely offsetting the axis of one bore relative to the axis of other bores, then stress in the fluid cylinder block is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional bends and turns
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of globally complicating the bore configuration through complete offsetting, the patent applies local quality by adding simple groove features at specific junction points. This maintains standard bore configurations for fluid flow while locally addressing stress concentration issues.
3Strength
If completely offsetting the axis of one bore relative to the axis of other bores, then stress in the fluid cylinder block is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to customized components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by implementing stress distributing joints as localized groove features that can be integrated into standard manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for customized bore configurations and reducing manufacturing costs compared to complete bore offsetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The stress distributing joints serve multiple functions: they reduce stress concentration, maintain standard bore configurations for component interchangeability, and can be manufactured using conventional processes, making the solution universally applicable without increasing costs.
4Strength
If using stress distributing joints with grooves having major dimension greater than bore diameter, then stress is reduced by approximately 20%, but material is removed from the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by removing material only to the extent necessary to create effective stress-distributing grooves at critical junction areas, rather than uniformly reducing material throughout the block. This achieves sufficient stress reduction (approximately 20%) with minimal material loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid cylinder block includes a body having a plurality of bores formed therein that intersect at a junction, and a stress distributing joint comprising a groove formed in the body adjacent opposing bores of the plurality of bores on each side of the junction, wherein the grooves include a major dimension that is greater than a diameter of the opposing bores.