Extended Orifice Plug Assembly for Sealing and Deposit Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orifice plugs for fluid systems, such as those used in lubrication systems of gas turbine engines, lack effective sealing and maintenance features, leading to fluid leakage and deposit accumulation, which complicates maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid system assembly featuring a plug with a protrusion and annular seal element, a flexible wire bristle pack, and a wrenching feature, which provides enhanced sealing and reduces deposit accumulation by displacing fluid volume and facilitating easy removal of deposits through twisting and scraping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple threaded fastener is used as an orifice plug, then the device complexity is low, but the sealing reliability is insufficient leading to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated plug assembly: the threaded fastener for attachment, the protrusion for displacement, the annular seal element for sealing, and the wire bristle pack for scraping. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable sealing without requiring multiple separate devices, thus maintaining low device complexity while improving sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug assembly uses composite construction with different materials serving different functions: the threaded fastener material for structural integrity, the annular seal element material (likely elastomer or rubber) for sealing, and the wire bristle material for scraping. This composite approach enables each component to optimize its specific function, achieving reliable sealing while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
2Ease of repair
If a threaded fastener is used as an orifice plug, then the ease of manufacture is high, but deposit accumulation occurs leading to maintenance complications
Solution Approach 1:
The wire bristle pack on the protrusion provides self-service cleaning functionality. As the plug is inserted or removed, the wire bristles automatically scrape deposits from the internal bore surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate manual cleaning operations, making maintenance easier while preventing deposit accumulation that would otherwise complicate future maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraping action occurs during the normal installation or removal process, performing cleaning before the next operational cycle begins. This preliminary action prevents deposit accumulation from building up to problematic levels, thereby maintaining ease of repair by avoiding the need for additional dedicated cleaning procedures.
3Reliability
If the plug structure is extended into the fluid conduit, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended protrusion structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displaces fluid volume to improve sealing contact, provides a mounting surface for the annular seal element, and supports the wire bristle pack for scraping. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving improved sealing effectiveness without adding separate components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
4Reliability
If the protrusion extends along seven-tenths of the plug length, then the fluid displacement and sealing are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The specification of 'seven-tenths of the plug length' provides a clear dimensional parameter that guides manufacturing. By defining the protrusion length as a simple proportional relationship rather than a complex variable, the design achieves improved sealing performance while keeping manufacturing precision requirements manageable through a straightforward dimensional specification.
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 assembly effectively seals fluid conduits, reduces deposit accumulation, and simplifies maintenance by allowing easy removal and cleaning of deposits, thereby improving operational efficiency and maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The annular seal element may seal a gap between the protrusion and the fluid conduit
Implementation Method 2
a flexible wire bristle pack arranged within the internal bore and attached to the protrusion
Implementation Method 3
reduces deposit accumulation by displacing fluid volume
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An assembly (20) is provided for a fluid system. This fluid system assembly includes a fluid conduit (22) and a plug (82). The fluid conduit (22) has an internal bore (78). The internal bore (78) is configured as or otherwise includes a smooth-walled internal bore (78). The plug (82) includes a protrusion (90) and a head (92). The protrusion (90) is connected to the head (92). The protrusion (90) projects axially along an axial centerline (40) partially into the smooth-walled internal bore (78) to a distal end (86) of the plug (82). The head (92) is seated against the fluid conduit (22). The head seals an opening in the fluid conduit (22) to the internal bore (78).