Expansion Tank Sealing Structure for Plastic Lining Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional expansion tanks experience air and water leakage due to the deterioration of the retaining ring over time, causing the plastic lining to shift and lose its sealing effectiveness, which compromises the tank's functionality.
Innovation Solution
The expansion tank design incorporates a metal barrel with a pipe joint featuring an outer and inner pipe portion, a plastic lining with specific grooves and protrusions, and a leak-proof padding system, including a leak-proof ring and flat washer, to eliminate the gap between the plastic lining and the upper barrel, ensuring secure sealing and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional leak-proof padding with a through-hole is used to allow the pipe joint to pass through, then the pipe joint can be installed and water can flow through, but a gap is created between the plastic lining and the upper barrel that allows air and water leakage when the plastic lining shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The leak-proof padding is divided into multiple segments: a first leak-proof padding portion extending along the inner wall of the upper barrel, and a second leak-proof padding portion extending from the first portion towards the center. This segmentation allows the padding to conform to the plastic lining's movements while maintaining sealing across different zones, preventing both installation blockage and operational leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak-proof padding transitions from a traditional two-dimensional flat pad with a hole to a three-dimensional structured component with radial and axial extensions. The first portion extends radially along the barrel wall while the second portion extends axially towards the center, creating a multi-dimensional sealing structure that accommodates plastic lining displacement without creating gaps.
2Reliability
If the plastic lining is secured by the retaining ring, then the plastic lining can be held in position initially, but after multiple upward movements by water pressure, the retaining ring's effectiveness deteriorates causing the plastic lining to shift and leak
Solution Approach 1:
The leak-proof padding is pre-configured with its first portion extending along the upper barrel's inner wall and second portion extending towards the center before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the plastic lining is installed and pressed against the upper barrel, the leak-proof padding is already in position to prevent leakage, eliminating the need for the retaining ring to maintain sealing under repeated pressure cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak-proof padding acts as an intermediary element between the plastic lining and the upper barrel. Instead of relying solely on the retaining ring to secure the plastic lining, the leak-proof padding provides continuous sealing contact that accommodates plastic lining movement, transferring the sealing function from the retaining ring to the flexible leak-proof padding structure.
3Reliability
If the gap between the plastic lining and upper barrel is eliminated by stuffing leak-proof padding, then sealing is improved, but the pipe joint must still pass through the padding requiring a through-hole
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe joint is nested within the leak-proof padding structure. The inner pipe portion passes through the second portion of the leak-proof padding, while the outer pipe portion is positioned such that the entire pipe joint assembly is contained within the sealing structure. This nesting allows the pipe joint to pass through the padding without requiring a traditional through-hole, as the padding material conforms around the pipe joint components.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak-proof padding functions as a flexible sealing film that can deform and conform around the pipe joint. Rather than creating a rigid through-hole, the flexible padding material wraps around the inner and outer pipe portions, maintaining sealing effectiveness while allowing the pipe joint to pass through the center of the expansion tank assembly.
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
This design effectively prevents air and water leakage by maintaining the secure positioning of the plastic lining and flexible bladder, enhancing the longevity and reliability of the expansion tank.
Implementation Method 1
a leak-proof padding stuffed in the first groove of the plastic lining and having a third through-hole, the third through-hole is facing the first through-hole of the upper barrel, and being passed through by the inner pipe portion of the pipe joint
Implementation Method 2
the first groove is covered by the upper barrel and the top surface is abutted against the upper barrel
Implementation Method 3
The retaining ring pressures the flexible bladder and the plastic lining onto the upper barrel
Implementation Method 4
causing the flexible bladder 93 to compress the air storage compartment 902 so that the pressure in the air storage compartment 902 increases
Implementation Method 5
The bottom of the lower barrel 912 has an inflatable one-way valve 96; the inflatable one-way valve 96 is for pumping and refilling the air in the air storage compartment 902
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an expansion tank comprises an upper barrel, a plastic lining and a leak-proof padding located in the upper barrel. The plastic lining has a first groove facing the upper barrel and a top surface located around the first groove. The first groove is covered by the upper barrel; the top surface abuts on the upper barrel, and the leak-proof padding is stuffed in the first groove of the plastic lining.