Deformable Translatable Seat for Ceramic Penetrator Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceramic electrical penetrators in subsea environments face stress and strain issues due to external pressures, temperature fluctuations, and harsh conditions, leading to potential cracks and seal integrity failures, which can result in equipment damage and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A deformable translatable seat made of soft metal, designed to fit within an oversized annular pocket, reduces and eliminates concentrated bearing and shearing stresses on the ceramic penetrator by deforming and shifting to accommodate misalignment and operational loads, preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid seal structure is used to maintain seal integrity under high external pressure, then seal reliability is improved, but stress concentration on the ceramic penetrator increases leading to potential cracks and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidceramic penetrator strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable seat is positioned between the rigid seal structure and the ceramic penetrator to absorb and distribute stress concentrations before they can cause cracks. The deformable seat acts as a cushioning element that deforms under pressure to protect the brittle ceramic penetrator from stress peaks while maintaining seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat material is selected with specific mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, yield strength) that allow it to deform elastically or plastically under operating pressures. This parameter change from rigid to deformable structure at the interface protects the ceramic penetrator while maintaining sealing under high external pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed rigid seat is used to support the ceramic penetrator, then structural stability is improved, but misalignment and operational loads create shearing stresses that can damage the penetrator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidshearing stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape and position in response to misalignment and operational loads. This dynamic capability enables the seat to accommodate dimensional variations and movement without transmitting damaging shearing stresses to the ceramic penetrator, while still providing structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If tight tolerances are maintained in the seal structure to ensure proper fit and sealing, then seal performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable seat acts as a compliance element that compensates for tolerance variations in the rigid seal structure. By selecting appropriate material properties and geometric parameters for the deformable seat, the system can accommodate larger manufacturing tolerances in other components while maintaining adequate seal performance, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces the risk of ceramic penetrator failure, maintaining seal integrity and preventing equipment damage by distributing stress and allowing for lateral movement, thus enhancing the reliability of subsea electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

A deformable translatable seat made of soft metal, designed to fit within an oversized annular pocket, reduces and eliminates concentrated bearing and shearing stresses on the ceramic penetrator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectYielding: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10249980B2Deformable translatable seat for reducing stress on ceramic penetrators

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a system for providing a stress reduction apparatus for a ceramic electrical penetrator or pin in a subsea environment. More specifically, the present invention provides a deformable translatable seat in an annular pocket that prevents the transfer of shear forces from a shell or fixture to a ceramic electrical penetrator or pin. The present invention provides a relatively soft metal seat that conforms to the profile of the shoulder of a mating electrical penetrator or pin and deforms to reduce or eliminate concentrated bearing stresses. The deformable translatable seat may also shift and deform within the annular pocket to relieve shearing stresses exerted on the electrical penetrator or pin by the shell or fixture.