Fluid-Tight Engine-Gearbox Coupling for Underwater Mining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive connections for coupling engines to gearboxes in mining applications are not fluid-tight, leading to potential damage from water and oil ingress, and are not suitable for operation in harsh underwater conditions.
Innovation Solution
A drive connection with a housing that includes sensors for pressure detection and a fluid-tight sealing system using sealing members at the coupling interfaces, allowing operation in oil and water environments while preventing fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drive connections are made adaptable to different manufacturer configurations, then versatility is improved, but fluid-tight sealing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements (gaskets, seals, or membranes) at the coupling interfaces between the drive connection housing and the motor/gearbox. These flexible films can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and configuration variations while maintaining fluid-tight sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If drive connections are sealed to prevent fluid leakage, then reliability is improved, but complexity of the sealing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the coupling interfaces of the drive connection housing, merging the structural connection function with the sealing function. This is achieved through sealing grooves, O-rings, or gaskets that are part of the housing structure itself, rather than adding separate complex sealing systems, thus achieving reliable sealing without excessive complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drive connections operate in harsh underwater conditions, then versatility of application is improved, but protection against water and dirt ingress becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible sealing membranes and gaskets at all openings and coupling interfaces of the drive connection housing to create a fluid-tight barrier. This allows the drive connection to operate in harsh underwater conditions while preventing water and dirt ingress, resolving the contradiction between application versatility and protection against harmful factors.
4Reliability
If clutch is operated fully in oil, then reliability of clutch operation is improved, but prevention of oil leakage from drive connection becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clutch housing with the drive connection housing to form an integrated fluid-tight enclosure. The sealing system is designed to contain oil within the drive connection while allowing the clutch to operate fully immersed in oil, thus achieving reliable clutch operation without oil leakage to the exterior.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention pertains to a drive connection for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine and which provides a fluid-tight sealing. Accordingly, a drive connection (10) for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine is suggested, which comprises a housing (12) having an inner cavity (14) that extends from a first open end (16) of the housing (12) to a second open end (18) of the housing (12) and which is configured for accommodating and enclosing a clutch. The housing (12) defines a first coupling interface (20) at the first open end (16) for coupling the drive connection (10) to an engine and a second coupling interface (22) at the second open end (18) for coupling the drive connection (10) to a gearbox, Furthermore, each coupling interface (20, 22) comprises a sealing member (24), wherein the housing (12) and sealing members (24) are configured to fluidically seal the inner cavity (14), when the drive connection (10) is in a coupled state.