Segmented Fluid Coupling Structure for High-Torque Fatigue Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings are not adequately configured to handle high pressures, high temperatures, and high bending torques, often resulting in short fatigue lives and limited durability.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling design featuring a body with adjustable links and a U-shaped cross-section, including tapered and planar portions, and rounded corners, which allows for deformation under stress and provides a robust connection through a stepped recess configuration, enabling it to withstand extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid coupling designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the coupling cannot withstand high pressures, high temperatures, and high bending torques, resulting in short fatigue life
Solution Approach 1:
The body is divided into multiple segments (first body segment, second body segment, third body segment) that can independently deform under stress. This segmentation allows each segment to absorb and distribute mechanical stresses, preventing catastrophic failure and extending fatigue life while maintaining manufacturability of individual segments
Solution Approach 2:
The body segments are designed with dynamic deformation capabilities, allowing them to flex and adapt under high bending torques and pressures. The tapered portions and rounded corners enable controlled elastic deformation that absorbs stress cycles, significantly extending fatigue life from conventional designs
2Strength
If the body is designed with tapered portions and rounded corners to withstand high stresses, then the coupling can handle high pressures and bending torques, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Specific geometric features (tapered portions at critical stress points, rounded corners at junctions) are applied locally where stress concentration occurs, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire body. This targeted approach provides high strength where needed while maintaining easier manufacturing for other portions
Solution Approach 2:
Rounded corners replace sharp edges at critical junctions, eliminating stress concentration points that would require extremely tight tolerances. The curved geometry naturally distributes stresses more evenly, achieving high strength with more forgiving manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If the coupling is designed for high-pressure and high-temperature operation, then it can withstand extreme conditions, but the structural complexity and adjustment mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable links enable modification of geometric parameters (diameter, segment spacing) to optimize performance for specific high-pressure and high-temperature applications. This adjustability allows the coupling to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring multiple specialized designs, balancing durability with controlled complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling includes a body including a plurality of segments and one or more links connecting the segments in a substantially annular configuration. At least one of the one or more links may be adjustable to modify a diameter of the body. The body may have a substantially U-shaped a cross-section with a first tapered portion, a second tapered portion, a first planar portion, a second planar portion, and/or a third planar portion. The body may include a first rounded corned and a second rounded corner. The first planar portion may be disposed substantially between the first tapered portion and the first rounded corner, the second planar portion may be disposed substantially between the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner, and/or the third planar portion may be disposed substantially between the second rounded corner and the second tapered portion.