Thermally Insulated Fluid Coupling for Seal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid couplings often fail to withstand high temperatures, leading to heat transfer that can permanently damage sealing members and result in leaks.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a fluid coupling with a first and second adapter, an inner sleeve, a nut, and an outer sleeve with a chamber between its inner and outer walls, featuring low emissivity coatings, a spring-biased outer sleeve for thermal insulation, and sealing members made from elastomeric or polymeric materials that can withstand temperatures up to 500°F or more, along with additional thermal barriers to minimize heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid coupling design is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing members are damaged by heat transfer at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an outer sleeve as an intermediary thermal barrier between the high-temperature environment and the sealing members. This outer sleeve with insulating material creates a protective layer that mediates heat transfer, allowing the sealing members to remain protected while maintaining fluid coupling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid coupling employs composite material construction by combining different materials with complementary properties: the outer sleeve uses thermally insulating materials, the inner components use heat-resistant materials, and sealing members use elastomeric or polymeric materials that can withstand temperatures up to 500°F. This composite approach resolves the heat transfer problem while maintaining structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation measures are added to protect sealing members, then heat transfer is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer sleeve for thermal insulation, an inner sleeve for fluid passage, and sealing members for leakage prevention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design makes the complex structure manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible sealing members made from elastomeric or polymeric materials that can withstand high temperatures. These flexible sealing elements provide effective sealing without requiring complex rigid structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still protecting against heat damage and fluid leakage.
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 solution effectively prevents damage to sealing members at high temperatures, ensuring reliable fluid communication and preventing leaks, while meeting fire resistance standards and maintaining functionality at temperatures up to 2000°F for at least 15 minutes.
Implementation Method 1
The outer sleeve may include a chamber provided between an inner wall of the outer sleeve and an outer wall of the outer sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling includes a first adapter, a second adapter, an inner sleeve connected to the first adapter and the second adapter, a nut connected to the first adapter and the second adapter, a sealing member connected to one of the first adapter and the second adapter, and/or an outer sleeve connected to the nut. The outer sleeve may include a chamber provided between an inner wall of the outer sleeve and an outer wall of the outer sleeve.