Fluid Connector Flange Sealing for Pressure-Balanced Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connection elements face issues with axial pressure forces disrupting the alignment of male and female components during pressurized fluid connections, leading to rapid wear and increased pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connection element design featuring a body with a tubular portion, a valve, and a flange that allows radial movement, utilizing dual sealing barriers and an internal chamber to balance pressure forces, minimizing axial pressure effects and maintaining fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sealing gasket is used between the flange and body, then the structure is simple, but axial pressure forces cause rapid deterioration of contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The single sealing gasket is segmented into two separate sealing gaskets positioned at different locations. The first sealing gasket is located at the front of the flange, while the second sealing gasket is located at the rear of the flange. This segmentation distributes the sealing function across multiple points, reducing the pressure concentration on any single contact surface and thereby improving durability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flange is constrained to prevent radial movement, then alignment precision is improved, but pressure losses increase during fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing controlled radial movement within the receiving volume during fluid flow. This dynamic adjustment enables the flange to optimize its position to minimize pressure losses while maintaining sufficient alignment precision through the guidance provided by the receiving volume boundaries and the positioning effect of the two sealing gaskets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiving volume is made larger to accommodate flange movement, then radial adjustment capability is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving volume is designed with non-uniform distribution, providing larger clearance in the radial direction to accommodate flange movement, while maintaining compact dimensions in other directions. This localized quality optimization allows sufficient radial adjustment capability without unnecessarily increasing the overall device volume, as the enlarged space is concentrated only where needed for flange positioning.
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 design reduces axial pressure forces on the flange, facilitating alignment and reducing pressure losses during coupling, while maintaining effective sealing and fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
the conjunction of the first and second sealing barriers makes it possible to reduce the force of the pressurized fluid applied to the flange
Data Source
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AI summary
This connecting element (4) (2) comprises a body (20) and an end fitting (50). The body defines a partial receiving recess (V20) for the end fitting. The end fitting comprises a tubular portion (52) and a flange (54) received in the recess (V20). Two sealing barriers, each formed by at least one sealing gasket (56, 58), are interposed between a rear surface (545) of the flange and a front face (233) of the body, and between a front surface (543) of the flange and a rear face (283) of the body, respectively. A plug (80) closes an internal conduit (32). Portions (324, 326) of the internal conduit communicate via at least one passage (68) opening into an internal volume (V50) of the end fitting, forward of the plug, and onto an external peripheral surface (541) of the flange. An internal chamber (36) is separated from the internal conduit by the body, the flange, the plug and the first sealing barrier.