Gimbal Joint Assembly for Pressurized Conduit Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible conduits are not suitable for conveying pressurized media due to lack of robustness against internal and external stresses, while rigid conduits are prone to structural failures under extreme conditions, and existing flexible conduits face material compatibility issues and unpredictable bending.

Innovation Solution

A flexible gimbal joint assembly with struts and sockets, coupled by a joint fastener that allows rotation and distributes forces effectively, enhancing the conduit's strength and flexibility for mission-critical applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid conduits are used to convey pressurized media, then structural strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates under extreme conditions due to proneness to structural failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidreliability under extreme conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit system is divided into multiple rigid conduit sections connected by flexible gimbal joints. This segmentation allows each rigid section to maintain structural strength while the flexible joints absorb stresses and prevent catastrophic failures, thereby improving reliability under extreme conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible gimbal joints with bellows structures are introduced between rigid conduit sections. These flexible elements can expand, contract, and bend to accommodate thermal expansion, vibration, and misalignment, protecting the rigid conduit system from structural failures while maintaining overall system strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional flexible conduits are used to convey pressurized media, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of robustness against internal and external stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidrobustness against stresses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit system combines rigid conduit materials (for strength and stress resistance) with flexible joint materials (for adaptability). This composite structure maintains the robustness against internal and external stresses while preserving the flexibility needed to accommodate movement and misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the conduit into rigid pressure-bearing sections and flexible connection sections. The rigid sections maintain robustness against stresses, while the flexible gimbal joints provide adaptability, allowing the system to function reliably under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional flexible conduits are used, then flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable bending

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpredictability of bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gimbal joints incorporate dynamic elements such as rotating bearings and articulated connections that allow controlled, predictable bending movements. These dynamic mechanisms guide the flexibility in specific directions while maintaining system stability, eliminating unpredictable bending behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows structures and spherical joint designs provide smooth, controlled curvature and rotation paths. This geometric design ensures that bending and movement occur in predictable, controlled manners rather than random or unpredictable patterns, enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Strength

If rigid conduits are used, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to accommodate movement and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidaccommodation of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit system is segmented into rigid sections for strength and flexible gimbal joints for movement accommodation. This allows the rigid sections to maintain structural integrity while the flexible joints easily accommodate thermal expansion, vibration, and installation misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible bellows and gimbal joints are integrated into the rigid conduit system, providing the ease of operation needed to accommodate movement and misalignment while the rigid sections maintain the required structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11879575B2Enhanced gimbal joint for conduits

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 BLUE ORIGIN MANUFACTURING LLC

AI summary

A gimbal assembly for a flexible conduit configured to convey a medium. The gimbal assembly includes a first component including a first plurality of struts that terminate in a first socket defining a first cavity of a first geometric configuration. The gimbal assembly also includes a second component including a second plurality of struts that terminate in a second socket defining a second cavity of a second geometric configuration. A joint fastener is configured to couple the first socket to the second socket. The joint fastener includes a first portion that geometrically corresponds to the first cavity and a second portion that geometrically corresponds to the second cavity. The first portion is configured to be immovably seated within the first cavity, and the second portion is configured to be movably retained by the second socket such that the first component can rotate relative to the second component.