Flexible Duct Sealing Apparatus With Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible duct sealing systems face issues with leakage and slippage, especially under high pressure, and require manual tightening, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
A flexible duct seal and compression assembly featuring a split ring, compression ring, and end cap assembly that provides a friction fit and automatic locking mechanism, allowing for secure sealing without manual tightening and accommodating tube movement due to stress, expansion, or vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a band clamp with worm gear is used to seal the duct, then the duct can be locked in place, but manual tightening is required which reduces productivity and can lead to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed to automatically tighten and secure the duct without requiring manual operation. The system uses a tensioning mechanism with a bar that automatically engages with the worm gear, allowing the clamp to self-tighten and lock in place, eliminating the need for manual tightening while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The bar is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the worm gear slots before the clamp is fully installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that the tightening action occurs automatically during installation, improving productivity without sacrificing sealing reliability
2Reliability
If the band clamp is tightened to prevent slippage under high pressure, then sealing improves, but the duct material gathers near the worm gear creating leakage paths
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp band is divided into multiple segments with individual adjustment points along its length. This segmentation allows the band to be tightened in a distributed manner rather than concentrated at the worm gear, preventing material gathering and leakage path formation while maintaining pressure resistance
Solution Approach 2:
A tensioning bar acts as an intermediary between the worm gear mechanism and the clamp band. The bar distributes the tightening force uniformly across multiple engagement points, preventing localized material gathering near the worm gear while maintaining adequate pressure resistance
3Reliability
If a bead is added to the tube end to prevent slippage, then the duct can be secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-slippage function is extracted from the tube end structure and transferred to the clamp assembly itself. The clamp incorporates a locking mechanism with a bar that engages with worm gear slots, providing slippage prevention without requiring modifications to the tube end such as beads or flanges
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 leakage and slippage by requiring only a low squeeze force (6-8%) to form a seal, maintains sealing under stress and movement, and eliminates the need for manual tightening, enhancing reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The compression ring has a rim sized to fit over the first end seal or the second end seal in a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling and sealing tubes, comprising a flexible duct having a first and second end portions, each portion having an outwardly extending seal portion connected to a flat portion, which in turn is connected to an angled portion which connects to a flat portion having expanded diameter. The apparatus also comprises a sealing assembly comprising a split ring, a compression ring and an end cap subassembly which fits over the compression and split rings. The end cap subassembly comprises a pair of half-rings which are hinged together at one end and latched together using a closure mechanism at the other end. The split ring is mounted over the duct end seal after a tube with a bead is inserted inside the duct. A compression ring is fit over the split ring and the end cap subassembly is latched in place over the compression and split rings, thereby placing the duct seal portion under compressive pressure against the tube and maintaining it in place in a sealed relationship.