Threaded Header Tension Control for Pressure Transducer Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure transducer assemblies face issues with thread disengagement during welding, leading to increased tensile stress on the weld area, which reduces the fatigue life of the assembly due to the removal of preload during the welding process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a header and port assembly with mating threaded portions, thread stop portions, and a weld gap region, where the thread stop portions maintain pre-loading tension and the weld gap region is configured to have a predetermined gap distance to prevent stress transfer to the weld, ensuring the weld seals the assembly without compromising thread tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the threaded portions are used to take the load off the welded portion, then the weld area stress is reduced, but the threads may become disengaged during welding which places tensile stress on the welded area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the threaded portions to tension before welding occurs. This pre-tensioning is maintained throughout the welding process through the use of thread stop portions that prevent the threads from disengaging during welding, ensuring the load remains on the threads rather than the weld area.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread stop portions act as an intermediary element between the threaded portions and the weld area. These stops prevent direct transfer of welding-induced tensile stresses to the threads by providing a mechanical stop that maintains engagement, thereby protecting the thread-load relationship from the harmful effects of welding.
2Ease of manufacture
If the preload on the structure is removed during welding, then the welding process can proceed, but the stress on the welded portion increases and fatigue life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing the pre-loading tension on the threaded portions before welding begins. This pre-tension is maintained throughout the welding process through the thread stop portions, ensuring that when welding occurs, the load remains on the threads rather than being transferred to the weld area, thereby preserving fatigue life.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread stop portions provide preliminary anti-action by preventing the removal of preload during welding. They counteract the tendency for threads to disengage under welding heat and stress, maintaining the pre-loading tension that protects the weld area from excessive stress and preserves the assembly's fatigue life.
3Stress or pressure
If the weld gap region is configured with a predetermined gap distance, then the weld seals the transducer without transfer of pre-loading tension stress, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific weld gap region with predetermined gap distance at the critical interface between the header and port. This localized gap control ensures that the weld seals the transducer without transferring pre-loading tension stress, while the rest of the assembly maintains its structural integrity and load-bearing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an improved header and corresponding port associated with a transducer assembly. The header and port define mating threaded portions, thread stop portions, and a weld gap region. The thread stop portions are configured to mate and maintain a pre-loading tension between the threaded portions during and after applying a weld in the weld gap region. The weld gap region is configured to have a predetermined gap distance such that the weld seals the transducer without stress in the weld. The mating of the first and second thread stops are configured to maintain at least a portion of the pre-loading tension.