Flexible Conduit Seal Assembly for Axial Compression Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for pipe junctions, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,505,499 and 5,141,633, face challenges in providing a secure and effective seal that can withstand axial compressive forces while maintaining flexibility and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a first and second conduit member with movable configurations and a flexible seal between them, where the flexible seal expands radially to engage with the inner surface of the pipe junction, using adhesive surfaces and contoured grooves for enhanced sealing, and fasteners to maintain the compressed configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compressible rubber tubular member is used to sealably engage the drain pipe, then the seal can expand radially outwardly to seal, but the device requires axial compressive forces to be applied through screws which complicates the installation structure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into two separate conduit members (first conduit member with first seat, second conduit member with second seat) that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the flexible seal to be compressed between the two seats without requiring complex screw mechanisms, simplifying the overall installation structure while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from applying axial compressive forces through screws (one-dimensional linear force application) to using a configuration where two conduit members are positioned at specific distances apart, allowing the seal to be compressed radially outwardly (dimensional change from axial to radial compression). This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for complex screw mechanisms while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If the flexible seal is compressed to engage with the inner surface of the pipe junction, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the conduit members must be held at a compressed distance which requires additional fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The two conduit members are designed to be positionable at predetermined distances apart, allowing the flexible seal to self-compress between the first seat and second seat. The conduit members themselves serve as the positioning and compression mechanism, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms while ensuring reliable seal engagement.
3Reliability
If adhesive members are added to the flexible seal to enhance sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive members are integrated directly into the flexible seal as a unified component rather than being separate additions. The flexible seal is manufactured with circumferential grooves that receive the adhesive members, creating a single integrated sealing unit. This merging approach enhances sealing effectiveness while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate components.
4Reliability
If the flexible seal expands radially outwardly to seal, then the seal engages effectively with the pipe junction, but the conduit members must be precisely positioned which increases assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit members are designed with predetermined positioning features and seats that are prepared in advance. The first conduit member includes a first seat at a predetermined position, and the second conduit member includes a second seat at a predetermined position. This preliminary preparation of positioning features allows for easy assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures, as the components are designed to self-align at the correct positions for effective seal engagement.
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 solution provides a secure, flexible seal that effectively engages with pipe junctions, ensuring a reliable seal while allowing for easy installation and preventing over-torqueing, with improved sealing through adhesive surfaces and contoured grooves.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible seal expanding radially outwards when compressed to engage with an inner surface of a body in which the seal assembly is received
Implementation Method 2
the flexible seal includes at least one adhesive sealing surface arranged to engage with the inner surface of the body when the flexible seal is compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly, including a first conduit member having a first seat and a second conduit member having a second seat. The second conduit member is coupled to the first conduit member such that the first and second conduit members are movable between at least a rest configuration in which the first and second seats are a rest distance apart, and a compressed configuration in which the first and second seats are held at a compressed distance apart. The compressed distance is less than the rest distance. The seal assembly also includes a flexible seal received between the first and second seats such that the flexible seal is compressed when the first and second conduit members are in the compressed configuration, the flexible seal expanding axially outwards when compressed to engage with an inner surface of a body in which the seal assembly is received.