Flexible Sleeve Coupling for Damage-Free Component Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for coupling components to industrial equipment often damage the components, hinder effective processing, or cause damage to the coupling mechanisms or equipment, especially in harsh environments with temperature, pressure, or chemical differentials.
Innovation Solution
The industrial system incorporates a coupling system with a housing featuring flexible pads and sleeves, actuated by pneumatic systems to securely hold components in place without damaging them, while forming seals to maintain environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current coupling methods are used to secure components during processing, then component retention is achieved, but the components may be damaged or the coupling mechanisms may be damaged due to harsh industrial environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible pads and sleeves as coupling elements that can deform to accommodate components and sealing surfaces. These flexible elements conform to the component geometry and sealing surface irregularities, creating effective seals without requiring excessive clamping force that would damage the component. The flexibility allows the coupling mechanism to adapt to thermal expansion and pressure differentials while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic actuators to apply controlled pressure to the flexible pads and sleeves during the coupling process. This pneumatic pressure ensures uniform contact between the flexible coupling elements and the component, creating reliable seals and secure retention without mechanical damage. The pneumatic system allows for precise control of coupling force, preventing both insufficient retention and excessive force that would cause damage.
2Reliability
If rigid coupling mechanisms are used to maintain sealing in harsh environments, then environmental condition maintenance is improved, but the coupling mechanisms or equipment may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pads and sleeves serve as both sealing elements and coupling elements, eliminating the need for complex rigid sealing systems. The flexibility of these elements allows them to maintain seals under varying temperature and pressure conditions without requiring complex compensation mechanisms. The simple yet effective design reduces coupling mechanism complexity while maintaining reliable environmental condition maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the flexible coupling elements to change their physical parameters (shape, volume, density) in response to environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure. This parameter adaptation enables the coupling mechanism to maintain effective seals across a range of harsh industrial conditions without requiring active control systems or complex mechanical adjustments.
3Productivity
If traditional coupling methods are used, then component securing is achieved, but processing effectiveness is hindered due to damage or improper coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pads and sleeves provide uniform contact pressure across the component surface, ensuring proper coupling without damage. This uniform distribution of force prevents stress concentrations that would compromise coupling integrity while allowing the component to be securely held during processing operations, thereby maintaining high processing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic actuation system provides controlled, uniform pressure application during coupling, ensuring that components are securely retained without exceeding damage thresholds. This controlled coupling process maintains both coupling integrity and processing effectiveness by preventing damage that would compromise either retention or processing quality.
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 coupling system effectively secures components during processing in harsh industrial environments without causing damage, while maintaining the necessary temperature, pressure, or chemical conditions, ensuring superior component retention and process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by pneumatic systems to securely hold components in place without damaging them
Implementation Method 2
a first flexible pad disposed concentrically in the first cavity, and a first flexible sleeve disposed concentrically in the first cavity adjacent to the first flexible pad
Implementation Method 3
forming seals to maintain environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides coupling systems for use in industrial systems to removably couple one or more components to the industrial system. The coupling systems discussed herein employ a flexible sleeve in addition to one or more components. The flexible sleeve can have a component disposed therein. When pressure is applied to the flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve constricts around the component, securing the component in the coupling system and thus to the industrial system. Once the component is secured, the industrial system executes one or more processes on the component. The coupling systems discussed herein can accommodate components of varying internal and external geometries as well as internal and/or external coatings and surface finishes.