Hose Coupling Dynamic Compression via Hydraulic Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible hose coupling devices experience leakage and separation at high hydraulic pressures due to a decrease in compression force over time, limiting their use in high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic compression hose coupling assembly that utilizes the increasing hydraulic fluid pressure to force a sleeve outward, enhancing the crush force on the hose and maintaining retention by positioning the sleeve between the nipple and hose, with apertures in the nipple allowing fluid pressure to apply force against the sleeve and increase compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barbed nipple and socket crush mechanism is used to retain the hose, then the hose can be securely retained at assembly, but the compression force decreases over time and at high pressures causing leakage and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the compression force adjustable rather than fixed. The spring element continuously applies increasing compressive force on the hose as pressure increases, transforming the static crush mechanism into a dynamic one that adapts to changing pressure conditions. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring the compression force not only maintains retention but actually increases with pressure to prevent leakage and separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of compression force from a fixed value to a variable that increases with pressure. By introducing a spring element, the compression force parameter dynamically adjusts based on operating conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliable hose retention even as pressure increases and would otherwise cause leakage or separation.
2Reliability
If the socket is crimped to generate maximum compression force upon assembly, then initial retention is strong, but the force decreases slightly with time and high pressure allowing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the hose between the socket and barbed nipple during assembly to create initial retention. This initial compression establishes the baseline sealing force, while the spring element subsequently maintains and increases this force over time and under pressure, preventing the force decay that would otherwise lead to leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element ensures continuity of useful compression action on the hose. Rather than the compression force being a one-time event during crimping that then decays, the spring continuously applies compressive force, maintaining sealing pressure throughout the operational life of the fitting and preventing leakage even as other forces change.
3Device complexity
If a rigid crush mechanism is used to retain the hose, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to increasing pressure and requires more expensive hard tubing systems for high pressure applications
Solution Approach 1:
By converting the static crush mechanism into a dynamic one with a spring element, the patent achieves adaptability to varying pressure conditions without significantly increasing structural complexity. The spring allows the coupling to adapt its compression force to match operating pressure, enabling flexible hose use in high-pressure applications that would otherwise require expensive rigid tubing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression force parameter from fixed to variable, allowing the same simple coupling structure to adapt across a wide pressure range. This parameter change enables the flexible hose system to replace expensive hard tubing in high-pressure applications while maintaining the simplicity of the coupling structure.
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 solution effectively prevents leakage and maintains hose retention at higher pressures, enabling the use of flexible hose coupling assemblies in high-pressure applications without the need for more expensive fluid conveyance systems.
Implementation Method 1
The pressurized hydraulic fluid is tending to blow the hose off of the fitting and the retention forces generated by the socket crush and the barbs on the nipple must prevent the hose from leaking or separating from the nipple
Implementation Method 2
The crush force is typically generated by crimping the socket down onto the outside of the hose where it is trapped between the socket and the barbed nipple
Data Source
AI summary
A hose coupling assembly is described that includes a nipple section for retaining a flexible hose where the hose is crimped between the nipple section and a socket. A tubular sleeve covers a portion of the nipple section known as the nipple extension section and the sleeve is attached to the nipple section so as to cover at least one aperture formed in the nipple section such that the sleeve is forced outward towards the socket when pressurized fluid is introduced into the hose coupling assembly which increases the compression force on the hose.