Flexible Implement Positioner for Vacuum Flange Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-high vacuum systems, positioning gaskets between CF flanges is challenging due to the small distance between flanges, leading to gasket displacement during assembly, resulting in leaks and increased assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A tool with hingedly connected body segments and fingers that surround the flange, locking the gasket in place until the second flange is bolted, ensuring proper positioning and sealing, and a flexible implement positioner for securing components like temperature gauges around the flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fingers or tools are used to hold the gasket in place before flanges are brought together, then the gasket can be positioned initially, but the distance between flanges becomes too small to accommodate fingers or tools during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A collar is introduced as an intermediary device that fits around the first flange and provides fingers to hold the gasket. This mediator allows gasket positioning without requiring direct access between the flanges, solving the space constraint problem during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is placed on the first flange before the second flange is brought into position. This preliminary action establishes the gasket-holding mechanism in advance, allowing the gasket to be secured before the space constraint occurs during flange assembly
2Productivity
If the gasket is not properly seated in the flange, then assembly can proceed quickly, but leaks occur preventing the vacuum system from reaching desired pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The collar with fingers automatically holds the gasket in the correct position during assembly. The system serves itself by mechanically ensuring proper gasket seating without requiring additional manual intervention or inspection steps, thus maintaining both speed and reliability
3Reliability
If the collar is used to hold the gasket during assembly, then gasket positioning is maintained, but additional time is required to install and remove the collar
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed to be quickly installed and removed. Its dynamic nature allows it to be placed on the flange, perform its function of holding the gasket, and then be easily removed after the second flange is bolted, minimizing the time penalty while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible implement positioner that is lockably installable around abutting flanges of abutting tubes enables an implement, such as a temperature gauge, to be desirably positioned near the joint between the abutting flanges and enable the implement to monitor the joint between the flanges. The implement positioner includes a plurality of body segments hingedly connected to one another in an end to end relationship, with one end including a lock body segment and the opposite end including a lock body segment having a lock lever hingedly mounted thereon, the lock lever positionable in engagement with the lock body segment and pivotal to lockably engage the lock lever when installing the implement positioner on one of the flanges.