Sealed Wall Feedthrough Module Replacement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for replacing adapters in sealed feedthroughs in severe environments, such as nuclear or chemical cells, face challenges in maintaining the seal during the replacement process, requiring complex remote-controlled manipulations and additional components, which increases the risk of seal loss and irradiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A sealed wall feedthrough design featuring a cylindrical assembly sleeve with annular grooves of specific profiles and a high elasticity split ring, allowing for one-directional module transfer and secure locking, along with a nut and locknut mechanism, ensures the preservation of the seal during adapter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locking fork with annular groove is used to secure the connector, then the connector can be firmly fixed in place, but the replacement process risks losing the seal of the wall feedthrough
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a body portion and a sealing portion. The sealing portion can be independently replaced without removing the body portion, allowing seal replacement while maintaining the locked position and avoiding seal loss risks
Solution Approach 2:
A bridging element is introduced as an intermediary component during the replacement process. This bridging element temporarily connects the new sealing portion to the connector body, ensuring continuous seal integrity throughout the replacement operation
2Reliability
If an intermediate sleeve is used during connector replacement, then the seal is preserved, but the number of irradiated components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the intermediate sleeve and integrated directly into the connector's sealing portion. This eliminates the need for a separate intermediate sleeve, reducing the number of components that become irradiated while maintaining seal preservation
3Reliability
If remote-controlled manipulators are used for connector replacement, then the seal can be maintained, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates self-aligning and self-locking features that reduce the need for complex remote-controlled manipulations. The replacement process becomes simpler as the components guide themselves into proper positions without requiring sophisticated manipulation devices
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 simplifies the replacement process by minimizing the need for remote-controlled manipulations, maintaining the seal integrity and reducing the number of irradiated components, while preventing untimely withdrawal of the adapter during and after replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a second means of locking consisting of a groove into which is inserted a split ring possessing a high coefficient of elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed wall feedthrough including a cylindrical assembly sleeve fixed and sealed in an opening of the wall, a cylindrical penetration module including joints ensuring the seal arranged on the periphery of its outside face, the module being able to transfer travel into the cylindrical assembly sleeve and includes locking with at least two annular grooves cut into the periphery of the inside face of the assembly sleeve.