Fluid Coupling Nozzle Sealing for Axial Force Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling elements face issues with axial pressure forces misaligning the central axes of male and female coupling elements, leading to rapid deterioration of the nozzle and frustoconical mouth during press-fitting, and increased pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling element design featuring a dual sealing barrier system and an inner chamber isolated from the fluid conduit, which balances axial pressure forces on the nozzle, allowing for radial movement without increasing pressure losses, and includes a flange that moves parallel to the radial plane within a housing to facilitate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sealing joint is used between the flange and body, then the structure is simple, but axial pressure force causes misalignment and rapid deterioration of components
Solution Approach 1:
The single sealing joint is divided into two separate sealing joints: a first sealing joint between the rear surface of the flange and the body, and a second sealing joint between the front surface of the flange and the body. This segmentation allows the pressure forces to be distributed and balanced, preventing the axial misalignment and component deterioration that occurred with a single sealing joint.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flange is constrained to move only axially, then alignment is precise, but radial adjustment for misalignment is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to move both axially (for precise alignment) and radially (for misalignment compensation). The two sealing joints accommodate this dynamic movement by distributing the pressure forces, enabling the flange to self-adjust during the press-fitting process without compromising alignment precision or adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the nozzle is rigidly fixed in the body, then structural stability is high, but radial movement for alignment adjustment is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with controlled flexibility through the flange connection, allowing radial movement for alignment adjustment while maintaining structural stability during operation. The two sealing joints provide the necessary constraint to maintain positioning stability once aligned, while permitting the initial radial adjustment movement during press-fitting.
4Reliability
If pressure force is increased to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability improves, but axial force on the nozzle increases causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The two sealing joints are positioned to create counterbalancing pressure forces on the flange. The first sealing joint (rear surface) and second sealing joint (front surface) experience pressure forces in opposite directions that tend to balance each other, reducing the net axial force transmitted to the nozzle and preventing misalignment, while still maintaining effective sealing at both interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
This coupling element has a body and a nozzle. The body delimits a housing for partially receiving the nozzle. The nozzle has a tubular part and a flange received in the housing. Two sealing barriers formed by at least one sealing joint are interposed between a rear surface of the flange and a front face of the body, between a front surface of the flange and a rear face of the body, respectively. A plug caps an inner conduit. Portions of the inner conduit communicate through at least one passage opening into an inner volume of the nozzle, forward of the plug, and on an outer peripheral surface of the flange. An inner chamber is separated from the inner conduit by the body, the flange, the plug and the first sealing barrier.