Pressure Gauge Attachment With Thread Stop for Single-Turn Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure gauge connection methods are unsuitable for high-volume, high-quality production applications, as they lack rapid and simplified installation, reliable sealing, and automatic correct orientation, often requiring tools, adhesives, or specialized equipment, and are prone to thread inconsistencies and material creep.
Innovation Solution
A pressure gauge attachment system with a thread stop mechanism and engagement elements that allow single-turn installation, providing automatic orientation and a secure, fluid-tight seal without pipe threads, adhesives, or clamping nuts, using a combination of internal and external threads and deflectable flanges for reliable retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tapered pipe threads are used for gauge connection, then securement and sealing are achieved, but installation time increases and orientation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge body is pre-formed with a polymeric threaded portion and a flange with engagement features during the molding process, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing threading operations. This preliminary action ensures consistent thread geometry and flange positioning, enabling rapid single-turn installation while maintaining reliable sealing through the predetermined thread interference fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the threaded connection function and the sealing function into a single integrated polymeric threaded portion. The threads themselves provide both the securement mechanism and the sealing interface, eliminating the need for separate sealing components or multiple installation steps, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Strength
If tapered pipe threads are used for gauge connection, then securement is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to thread inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metal threading operations with a molded polymeric threaded structure. The threads are formed directly in the gauge body during injection molding, eliminating variability introduced by manual or machine threading processes. This substitution ensures uniform thread pitch, depth, and profile across all gauges, achieving high manufacturing precision while maintaining connection strength through consistent thread interference fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer for the threaded portion, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing process from subtractive (threading) to additive (molding). This parameter change enables precise control of thread geometry through mold design, ensuring consistent thread dimensions and flange positioning, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision and reliable connection strength.
3Strength
If traditional connection structures are used, then gauge securement is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the threaded connection structure and the sealing structure into a single integrated polymeric threaded portion molded directly onto the gauge body. This eliminates the need for separate metal threads, sealing rings, or gaskets, reducing the component count while maintaining both gauge retention strength and sealing effectiveness through the unified polymeric structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric threaded portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the threaded connection for securement, incorporates the sealing interface for fluid-tight connection, and includes the flange with engagement features for orientation control. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used for threaded sockets, then manufacturing cost decreases, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to creep and stress fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable gauge design where the polymeric threaded portion is molded directly onto a single-use gauge body. The entire assembly is designed for one-time installation and disposal, eliminating the need for long-term durability against creep and stress fracturing. This approach maintains sealing reliability for the intended service life while keeping manufacturing costs low through integration and material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polymeric materials with specific mechanical properties selected to balance cost and performance for disposable applications. The polymeric threaded portion is formulated to provide sufficient strength and sealing capability for single-use medical devices, achieving an optimal balance between manufacturing cost and sealing reliability for the intended application lifecycle.
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
Enables efficient, reliable, and repeatable assembly of pressure gauges with consistent orientation and sealing, suitable for high-volume production, reducing material stress and enabling automated manufacturing without specialized tools.
Implementation Method 1
a deflectable flange with an external thread and at least one male engagement feature arranged on a face of the flange opposite the gauge body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A pressure gauge attachment system includes a thread having a thread stop as well as at least one engagement element that is configured to defect during installation and effectively provide an interlock after installation. The system is suited for rapid and simplified installation, inherently provides automatic orientation of a pressure indicator, enhanced sustainability, flexibility in manufacturing, as well as provides a secure, reliable fluid-tight sealed connection that does not rely upon a pipe thread, additional couplings or clamping nuts for retention.