Rotary-Locking Fluid Coupling for Cryogenic Sealing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings are prone to untimely opening and closing due to torsion between connected pipes and use elastomeric O-rings that are not suitable for cryogenic applications, leading to reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling design featuring a male and female element with a connecting groove, guide pin, and locking device that prevents rotation in the disconnecting direction, along with a seal system using U-shaped polymer bodies with reinforcement, to secure the connection and prevent torsional stress, while allowing for longitudinal movement and rotation freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid coupling uses conventional elastomeric O-rings for sealing, then the sealing function is achieved, but the coupling becomes unsuitable for cryogenic applications and the seals are easily deformable leading to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the seal from conventional elastomeric O-rings to U-shaped polymer bodies with reinforcement, which have different physical and chemical properties suitable for cryogenic temperatures and high-pressure applications
Solution Approach 2:
The seal uses a composite structure combining polymer material with reinforcement elements, creating a material that possesses both the sealing properties of polymers and the strength and temperature resistance of reinforced materials
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling allows free rotation between male and female bodies during connecting, then torsion between connected pipes is accommodated, but the piston may move unintentionally causing untimely opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into two independent rotational segments: the outer male body can rotate freely relative to the inner male body, while the ring is locked relative to the female body, allowing torsion accommodation without affecting piston stability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism that selectively prevents rotation of the ring with respect to the female body in the disconnecting direction while allowing it in the connecting direction, mediating between the need for rotational freedom and piston stability
3Reliability
If the locking device prevents rotation of the ring in the disconnecting direction, then untimely disconnection is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device provides asymmetric rotational constraint: it locks rotation in the disconnecting direction but allows rotation in the connecting direction, creating a dynamic, direction-dependent locking mechanism rather than a static bidirectional lock
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the rotation direction, using the rotational motion itself to trigger the locking and unlocking actions without requiring external control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling (R) comprising a male element (A) and a female element, a ring delimiting an inner channel of the female element (B), and a piston slidably mounted with respect to the ring (28) between a closed position and an open position of the inner channel. Between a disconnected configuration of the coupling and the connected configuration, the ring is moved rotationally with respect to the female body and the ring is held longitudinally in the female body, the piston is moved longitudinally from its closed position to its open position. The male body comprises an outer body and an inner body, the inner body delimiting an inner duct of the male element (A). During connecting, the outer body and the ring are rotationally fixed around the central longitudinal axis. In the connected configuration, the outer body and the ring are rotationally fixed. During connecting and in the connected configuration, the outer body and the inner body are free to rotate but unable to move in translation. The female element (B) comprises at least one locking device (45) movable between a position locking the rotation of the ring, and a release position, and in the disconnected configuration, the locking device (45) does not prevent the rotation of the ring.