Dual-Plane AC Connector Sealing for Refrigerant Leak Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors in refrigerant conduit systems experience refrigerant leakage due to uneven force distribution between mating surfaces, which can lead to gaps and increased flammability risks with newer refrigerants like R1234yf, necessitating a solution to enhance sealing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dual plane seal connector design featuring a counter-bored conduit passage with a sealing ring and axial seal washer, reducing the opportunity for gaps and providing a non-cantilever seal using a single fastener, with a circumferential groove and elastomeric O-ring for radial sealing and a metal-elastomeric seal washer combination for axial sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single fastener is used to connect male and female connector blocks, then assembly is simplified and time/labor is reduced, but the force distribution between mating surfaces becomes non-uniform causing gaps and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into male and female connector blocks with separate sealing components (sealing ring and seal washer) that can be independently positioned and compressed, allowing each seal to address specific leakage paths while maintaining simple single-fastener assembly
Solution Approach 2:
A seal washer is introduced as an intermediary component between the male and female connector blocks to distribute compression forces more uniformly across the mating surfaces, preventing gaps while maintaining the simplicity of single-fastener assembly
2Device complexity
If a single fastener is used in cantilevered configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but force distribution becomes non-uniform causing mating surface gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism transitions from relying solely on face-to-face contact in one dimension to incorporating a seal washer that distributes forces across multiple dimensions, creating uniform compression in both axial and radial directions without complicating the overall connector structure
3Ease of operation
If mating surfaces develop gaps due to uneven force distribution, then assembly remains simple, but refrigerant leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system uses two different sealing parameters: a sealing ring for radial sealing and a seal washer for axial sealing, creating multiple barriers that prevent refrigerant leakage while maintaining assembly simplicity through the single-fastener design
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 dual plane seal connector significantly reduces refrigerant leakage while maintaining easy assembly and using a single fastener, ensuring a consistent and effective seal by minimizing cantilever effects and utilizing materials with improved temperature performance.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing ring is located in the groove to provide a radial seal
Implementation Method 2
a seal washer is located in the second cylindrical bore to provide an axial seal
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for providing a leak resistant flow path between fluid conduits includes a female connector, a male connector, and a tubular fluid conduit that extends through a conduit passage in the male connector and into a conduit receiving passage in the female connector. The connector can include optional anti-cantilever features that provide a more effective axial seal when using a seal washer recessed into a planar surface of the male connector to supplement a radial seal provided by an O-ring sealing member between the tubular fluid conduit and the conduit receiving passage.