Spill-Free Fluid Couplings With Parallel-Spring Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid handling couplings face challenges in preventing fluid spillage and air inclusion during connection and disconnection, leading to material loss, contamination, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The fluid coupling system incorporates internal valve components with parallelly arranged springs to maintain a normally closed position, preventing fluid spillage and air inclusion. The system features oblong cross-sectional shapes for the couplings and valve components, reducing flow resistance and pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fluid couplings are used for quick connection and disconnection, then operational speed is improved, but fluid spillage and air inclusion occur leading to material loss and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is pre-positioned in a closed state before connection occurs. When the male and female couplings are brought together, the valve member remains closed during the initial connection phase, preventing fluid spillage and air inclusion. The valve only opens after proper connection is established, allowing fluid flow to commence without contamination or loss.
2Reliability
If valve components are added to prevent fluid spillage, then fluid control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is actuated automatically by the connection process itself. When the male coupling connects to the female coupling, the relative movement between the two components directly actuates the valve member to open or close the flow path. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators, control systems, or additional operating mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable fluid control.
3Loss of energy
If oblong cross-sectional shapes are used, then flow resistance is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling components feature an oblong cross-sectional shape with distinct long and short axes. This asymmetric geometry is designed to align with corresponding features on mating components, ensuring proper orientation during connection. The asymmetric shape creates a natural guiding effect that facilitates correct alignment while reducing flow resistance, as the oblong profile optimizes fluid flow paths compared to conventional circular sections.
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 fluid spillage and air inclusion, reducing material loss and contamination while maintaining favorable fluid flow characteristics, thus minimizing costs associated with spillage and ensuring the fluid remains in its desired state.
Implementation Method 1
first and second male valve springs that each bias the male valve member to close the flow path through the male coupling
Implementation Method 2
first and second male valve springs that each bias the male valve member to close the flow path through the male coupling
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid couplings described herein are designed to prevent spillage of fluid when connecting and disconnecting the couplings. In some embodiments, the fluid couplings described herein include internal valve components. In some example embodiments, the internal valve components include two springs that are arranged to exert their spring forces in parallel with each other to bias a valve component to a normally closed position. Some embodiments include a single spring. In particular embodiments, components of the fluid couplings and fluid flow paths of the fluid couplings have oblong transverse cross-sectional shapes.