Fluid Connector Sealing Multiple Tubes via Swaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing high purity steam introduce impurities and pose safety risks due to the presence of residual gases and aerosols, and existing sealing technologies are inadequate for maintaining purity and durability in steam production and handling.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector that uses a shell and a means for applying external compressive radial force through a swaging operation, combined with a sealant having cold flow properties, to create a resealable seal for multiple lumens within a single outer shell, eliminating the need for welding or thermal bonding and allowing for the use of ultrapure materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding or thermal bonding is used to seal tubes in steam production, then sealing strength is improved, but impurities are introduced into the steam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal bonding processes (welding, soldering) with a mechanical compression system. A compression fitting applies radial compressive force through a swaging operation to deform a sealant material, creating a seal without introducing thermal impurities into the steam path. This mechanical substitution eliminates contamination while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealant material as an intermediary between the compression fitting and the tubes. The sealant having cold flow properties transfers the compressive force from the fitting to the tubes, creating an effective seal. This intermediary allows mechanical force transmission while preventing direct contact between metal components that could contaminate the steam.
2Reliability
If multiple tubes are sealed individually, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual sealing functions into a single integrated compression fitting. The fitting simultaneously seals multiple tubes through one swaging operation, applying radial compressive force to all tubes at once. This merging reduces the number of separate sealing operations and components needed while maintaining the reliability of individual seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression fitting is designed as a universal component that can seal multiple tubes of different configurations simultaneously. The single fitting structure performs the function of multiple individual connectors, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall device complexity while ensuring each tube is properly sealed.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If thermal bonding is used to seal tubes, then seal durability is improved, but tube damage occurs during sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal bonding with mechanical compression, eliminating the high temperatures that cause tube damage. The swaging operation applies controlled radial compressive force that deforms the sealant without exposing fragile tubes to thermal stress, thus maintaining seal durability while preventing tube damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing parameter from thermal energy to mechanical force. By using a swaging operation that applies radial compressive force, the sealing process occurs at ambient temperature, preventing thermal damage to sensitive tubes while achieving durable seals through the cold flow properties of the sealant material.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex separation processes are used to remove residual gases, then steam purity is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex thermal bonding processes and implements it through a simpler mechanical compression system. This extraction eliminates the need for complex separation processes to remove contaminants generated by thermal methods, achieving steam purity through a simpler, more direct approach.
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 connector effectively seals multiple tubes within a single outer shell, maintaining purity and durability under high pressure and temperature conditions, preventing the introduction of impurities and reducing the risk of contamination, while allowing for easy removal and replacement of individual lumens.
Implementation Method 1
a sealant having a cold flow property such that, in use, when an external compressive radial force is generated by the swaging operation, the force is transferred between the shell and the lumen to form a resealable seal by cold flow of the sealant
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector is provided that allows for the simultaneous sealing of multiple tubes within a single outer shell when an external radial compressive force is applied.