Flange Fixing Structure Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange fixing structures fail to maintain a good sealing property when temperature variations are significant, leading to fluid leakage due to inadequate surface pressure caused by expansion of flange fixtures and gaskets, which is particularly challenging in high-temperature environments like quartz glass furnace core tubes.
Innovation Solution
A flange fixing structure is designed where the product of the effective length and linear expansion coefficient of the fixture is made equal to the sum of the products of the thicknesses and linear expansion coefficients of the members held by the fixture, with a gasket and buffering members to manage thermal expansion and prevent excessive surface pressure variation, using materials like expansion graphite sheets and ceramic fiber sheets to maintain sealing integrity at high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flange fixtures are used to connect pipe conduits, then the connection and sealing function is achieved, but surface pressure deficiency occurs during use due to thermal expansion and plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting materials with specific linear expansion coefficients and configuring their dimensions to satisfy the relationship L0α0=Σtiαi. This ensures that the thermal expansion of the fixture matches the combined thermal expansion of the members, maintaining constant surface pressure on the gasket during temperature variations and preventing sealing failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly addresses thermal expansion by designing the fixture and members such that their thermal expansion characteristics are balanced. The relationship L0α0=Σtiαi ensures that when temperature changes occur, the expansion of the fixture is compensated by the expansion of the members, preventing surface pressure deficiency that would lead to leakage.
2Reliability
If integrally formed furnace core tube is used, then sealing performance is maintained, but the length of the tube is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the furnace core tube into multiple sections connected by flange joints. This allows the production of longer tubes by assembling multiple segments, overcoming the length limitation of integrally formed tubes while maintaining sealing performance through the specialized flange fixing structure that compensates for thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of the expansion coefficient matching relationship L0α0=Σtiαi to enable segmented construction. This mathematical relationship ensures that each flange connection maintains proper sealing under thermal conditions, allowing multiple segments to be assembled into a long continuous tube with reliable sealing throughout.
3Ease of manufacture
If flange connections are used in high-temperature environment, then the furnace core tube can be assembled in sections, but sealing performance deteriorates due to temperature variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameters of the fixture and member materials and dimensions to satisfy L0α0=Σtiαi. This ensures that thermal expansion effects are balanced, maintaining sealing performance even in high-temperature environments where segmented assembly is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly addresses the thermal expansion issue by designing the flange connection system with balanced expansion characteristics. The relationship L0α0=Σtiαi ensures that temperature variations do not cause differential expansion that would compromise the sealing, enabling reliable segmented assembly in high-temperature applications.
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 configuration ensures consistent surface pressure and maintains a good sealing property over time, even under significant temperature variations, reducing the risk of fluid leakage and product degradation in high-temperature applications.
Implementation Method 1
Causes of surface pressure deficiency include the expansion of flange fixtures due to temperature variation, plastic deformation of such flange fixtures and gaskets
Data Source
AI summary
A flange fixing structure is provided that fixes flange parts respectively provided to two pipe conduits by means of a fixture in a butting manner via a gasket. In this flange fixing structure, when an effective length of the fixture is denoted by L0, a linear expansion coefficient of the fixture is denoted by α0, thicknesses of n (where n is an integer of 1 or more) members held by the fixture are respectively denoted by t1 to tn, and linear expansion coefficients of the n members are respectively denoted by α1 to αn, a product L0α0 of the effective length L0 of the fixture and the linear expansion coefficient α0 of the fixture is substantially equal to a sum Σtiαi (i=1 to n) of products of the respective thicknesses t1 to tn and the respective linear expansion coefficients α1 to αn.