Hollow Gimbal Ring Joint for Lightweight High-Pressure Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gimbal joints for high-pressure fluid ducts are heavy, require significant material waste, and have limited geometry optimization, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and increased weight, which is a critical drawback for applications like aeronautics and spacecrafts.
Innovation Solution
A gimbal joint design featuring a hollow central gimbal ring manufactured via additive manufacturing, connected by pins to clevises with optimized geometry and laser-welded reinforcement collars, allowing for weight reduction and improved flexibility, and optionally incorporating a double-bellow structure for burst-proof protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional machining methods are used to manufacture gimbal joints, then structural integrity can be maintained, but material waste increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing method from conventional machining to additive manufacturing, fundamentally altering the production parameter. This enables near-net-shape manufacturing of the gimbal ring, reducing material waste from traditional subtractive machining while maintaining structural integrity through controlled material deposition and consolidation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures in the additive manufacturing process, combining different materials or material densities within the gimbal ring to optimize both weight reduction and structural strength. This allows strategic placement of high-strength materials only where needed, reducing overall material usage while maintaining performance
2Weight of moving object
If solid and filled gimbal ring design is used, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the density and material properties of different regions within the gimbal ring. The additive manufacturing process enables localized reinforcement in high-stress areas while using reduced material in low-stress regions, achieving optimal strength-to-weight ratio throughout the component structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic optimization in the gimbal ring design, creating a structure that adapts its effective stiffness and strength characteristics based on operational loading conditions. The additive manufacturing enables complex internal geometries that provide structural compliance and load distribution, reducing peak stresses and allowing weight reduction
3Shape
If conventional machining geometries are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but geometry optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from conventional machining to additive manufacturing, enabling complex three-dimensional geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional subtractive methods. This includes optimized internal lattice structures, variable thickness walls, and integrated cooling channels that maximize structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension extensively in the additive manufacturing process, creating complex spatial structures and internal geometries that cannot be achieved with conventional two-dimensional machining operations. This enables optimized load paths and stress distribution through three-dimensional lattice structures and contoured surfaces
4Strength
If TIG welding is used to join components, then strong joints are achieved, but distortion and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gimbal ring and bellows assembly into an integrated structure through additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate welding operations. The bellows can be directly grown from the gimbal ring in a single manufacturing process, removing welding-induced distortion and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining joint strength
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 design achieves up to 20% weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity, optimizing geometry for torsion loads, and provides burst-proof protection against high-pressure fluid failures, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows placed between the first clevis and the second clevis forming a fluid-tight passage between both ducts
Implementation Method 2
a central gimbal ring to be placed between the first clevis and the second clevis, having second connecting through holes, and pins connecting the first connecting through holes of the clevises with the second connecting through holes of the central gimbal ring. These pins are configured to provide a relative rotation between the clevises and the central gimbal ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An object of the invention is a gimbal joint for high-pressure fluid ducts, with two clevises (4a,4b) to be sealedly coupled to two ducts (2a,2b). The gimbal joint has a bellows (3) between the clevises (4a,4b) to form a fluid-tight gas passage between both ducts (2a,2b), and a central gimbal ring (6) to be placed between both clevises (4a,4b), connected to the clevises by means of pins, providing a relative rotation between the clevises (4a,4b) and the central gimbal ring (6). The central gimbal ring (6) is hollow. Another object of the present invention is a gimbal joint for high-pressure fluid ducts (2a,2b) with two concentric passages (13,14), including two clevises (4a,4b) to be sealedly coupled to both ducts (2a,2b), a central gimbal ring (6) and two concentric bellows (3,15) between the clevises (4a,4b) to form fluid-tight gas concentric passages between both ducts (2a,2b).