Flangeless Tubular Coupling With Internal Locking Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flange connections for tubular conduits are time-consuming and pose safety hazards due to the need for aligning, mating, and tightening flanges with specialized torque tools, which can create pinch points.
Innovation Solution
A flangeless coupling system using a male and female connection member with a locking assembly and seal assembly that forms a fluid-tight seal without flanges, allowing for quicker connection and reduced safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flange connections are used to connect tubular conduits, then a reliable fluid-tight connection is achieved, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and requires specialized torque tools
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate male and female connection members with distinct functional elements: the male member contains locking keys that engage with the female member, while the female member has corresponding recesses. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling quick connection without complex alignment procedures while maintaining reliable fluid-tight sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The male connection member is inserted into and nested within the female connection member. The locking keys of the male member are received by recesses in the female member, creating a nested structural relationship. This nesting arrangement simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need for external flanges and bolts, thereby reducing connection time while ensuring a secure and reliable fluid-tight joint.
2Strength
If flange connections with bolt holes are used, then a secure connection is formed, but safety hazards arise due to pinch points during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the hazardous elements of traditional flange connections, specifically the bolt holes and external fastening mechanisms that create pinch points. Instead, the locking keys are integrated within the male connection member and engage with recesses in the female member from the inside, removing the safety hazards associated with external bolt assembly while maintaining strong connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking keys act as intermediary elements between the male and female connection members. These keys are contained within the male member and engage with recesses in the female member, providing a secure mechanical connection without requiring external bolts or flanges. This intermediary mechanism eliminates pinch points and safety hazards while ensuring robust connection strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional flange alignment procedures are used, then proper positioning is achieved, but the alignment process requires multiple steps and specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The male connection member is pre-configured with locking keys positioned within its body, and the female connection member is pre-configured with corresponding recesses. This preliminary preparation of the connection elements eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during assembly. The keys and recesses are designed to automatically align and engage when the male member is inserted into the female member, ensuring precise positioning without requiring multiple alignment steps or specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for forming a fluid-tight connection between a first device and a second device includes a male connection member having a central axis and a radially outer surface. In addition, the coupling includes a female connection member having a central axis coaxially aligned with the central axis of the male connection member, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The female connection member includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced holes extending radially from the radially outer surface of the female connection member to the radially inner surface of the female connection member. The male connection member is slidingly disposed in the female connection member. Further, the coupling includes a locking assembly configured to secure the female connection member to the male connection member. The locking assembly includes an annular locking ring disposed about the female connection member and the male connection member. The locking assembly also includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced locking keys moveably coupled to the annular locking ring. The locking keys are radially positioned between the annular locking ring and the male connection member. Still further, the locking assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced lock actuation members coupled to annular locking ring. The lock actuation members are configured to move the locking keys radially inward relative to the annular locking ring, the female connection member, and the male connection member through the holes of the female connection member and into engagement with the male connection member. The lock actuation members are configured to move the locking keys radially outward relative to the annular locking ring, the female connection member, and the male connection member through the holes of the female connection member and out of engagement with the male connection member. Moreover, the coupling includes an annular seal assembly positioned between the male connection member and the female connection member, wherein the seal assembly is configured to form an annular seal between the male connection member and the female connection member.