Flexible Collet Grasper for Precise Fluidic Conduit Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of chromatographic columns in fluidic fittings is complicated by the need for precise axial alignment and secure sealing, particularly with Vespel® polymer or polymer-graphite composite ferrules, which cannot be pre-swaged and are prone to sliding, leading to leaks and installation errors.
Innovation Solution
A collet with a flexible conduit grasper and cap design is used to compress and secure the conduit within a fluidic coupling device, allowing for precise axial positioning and sealing without pre-swaging, using a toroidal or conical grasper shape made of flexible material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Vespel® polymer or polymer-graphite composite ferrules are used, then the ferrule can be installed without pre-swaging, but the ferrule is prone to sliding and cannot maintain secure positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The collet acts as an intermediary device between the ferrule and the installation process. It provides a mechanism to securely hold the ferrule in the correct axial position during installation, preventing sliding while allowing the ferrule to be used without pre-swaging. The collet's gripping surfaces engage with the ferrule to maintain precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is pre-installed onto the conduit in the correct axial position before the actual coupling installation. This preliminary positioning is maintained by the collet during the installation process, ensuring that the ferrule does not slide and maintains secure positioning throughout the assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional ferrules are pre-swaged to maintain position, then secure positioning is achieved, but the process becomes complicated and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The difficult pre-swaging operation is extracted from the installation process and replaced by the collet's mechanical gripping mechanism. The collet takes over the function of securing the ferrule in position without requiring the complex and error-prone pre-swaging step, thereby reducing overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet automatically secures the ferrule in the correct axial position through its inherent mechanical design, without requiring additional operations like pre-swaging. The collet's structure itself provides the positioning and securing function, making the process simpler and more reliable.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise axial alignment is required for column installation, then correct positioning is achieved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is designed with built-in features that establish the correct axial alignment of the conduit with the fluidic component before final assembly. This preliminary alignment action is incorporated into the collet's structure, ensuring precise positioning without requiring additional alignment steps or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet serves as an intermediary alignment device that mechanically ensures the conduit is positioned at the correct axial distance from the fluidic component. Its design incorporates alignment features that automatically establish precise positioning during installation, eliminating the need for complex measurement and adjustment procedures.
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
Facilitates leak-free and reliable installation of fluidic conduits by ensuring consistent axial alignment and sealing, reducing installation complexity and errors, especially with Vespel® polymer or polymer-graphite composite ferrules.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit grasper is composed of a flexible material such that the conduit grasper is compressible in response to a force applied to the outer grasper surface
Data Source
AI summary
A collet includes a cap, a conduit grasper, a collet bore, and a collet slot. The grasper is composed of a flexible material such that the grasper is compressible in response to an applied force. A conduit such as a column is installed in a fluidic component by passing the conduit through the collet and into a fluidic coupling device. The collet is then coupled to the fluidic coupling device so as to compress the grasper against the column, thereby securing the column in the fluidic coupling device. The conduit may then be inserted into the fluidic component, and fluidic coupling device may be coupled to the fluidic component to complete the conduit installation. The collet or at least the cap may then be removed by moving the collet or at least the cap around the column via the collet slot. The grasper may be removed via a grasper slot.