Hydraulic Connector Venting for Low-Force Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic connectors are heavy and bulky, requiring significant effort to connect and disconnect due to hydraulic pressure opposing mechanical forces, making the connection process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic connection system with a mechanical connection assistance system that includes synchronized hydraulic decompression through an actuation control element, allowing relative movement of hydraulic connectors between configurations and using a shut-off pin to open and close hydraulic exhaust during connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic connectors are used to establish hydraulic connection between mechanical systems, then hydraulic fluid circulation is enabled, but the connectors become heavy and bulky requiring significant effort to connect and disconnect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by opening the hydraulic exhaust before the mechanical connection is fully established. The control element actuates the obturating pin to open the exhaust passage during the connection process, allowing hydraulic fluid to escape from the chamber before the connectors are fully engaged. This preliminary decompression reduces the hydraulic pressure that would otherwise oppose the mechanical connection forces, making the connection easier to achieve while maintaining reliable hydraulic sealing once connected.
2Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is maintained in the disconnected configuration to prevent leaks, then sealing reliability is improved, but the hydraulic pressure opposes mechanical forces requiring significant effort for connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary decompression by opening the hydraulic exhaust passage before the connectors are fully engaged or disengaged. During the connection process, the obturating pin moves to open the exhaust, allowing hydraulic fluid to escape from the chamber in advance. This reduces the hydraulic pressure that would oppose the mechanical connection forces, making both connection and disconnection easier while maintaining sealing reliability when the connectors are in their operational connected or disconnected states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the hydraulic exhaust passage through the obturating pin, which is actuated by the control element. The exhaust passage is dynamically opened during connection and disconnection operations to reduce opposing hydraulic forces, then closed during normal operation to maintain sealing. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the hydraulic pressure state according to the operational phase, optimizing both ease of operation and sealing reliability.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical connection assistance system is implemented to facilitate connector movement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical devices and control elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to assist the mechanical connection process. Instead of complex mechanical assistance devices, the system utilizes a hydraulic exhaust passage controlled by an obturating pin and control element. By opening the exhaust to release hydraulic pressure during connection and disconnection, the system leverages hydraulic fluid dynamics to reduce opposing forces. This approach achieves mechanical connection assistance through hydraulic means rather than additional mechanical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.
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
Simplifies the mechanical connection process by synchronizing hydraulic decompression with mechanical stages, reducing the effort required to connect and disconnect hydraulic connectors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one outer skirt includes a hydraulic exhaust, and the hydraulic connection system further includes a shut-off pin synchronized with the actuation control element, adapted to open and/or close the hydraulic exhaust during actuation of the actuation control element
Data Source
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AI summary
The hydraulic connection system includes a first hydraulic connector (2) and a second hydraulic connector (3). The hydraulic connection system includes a mechanical connection assistance system (27). The first hydraulic connector (2) includes at least one first hydraulic coupler (8a, 8b). The second hydraulic connector (3) includes at least one second hydraulic coupler (21a, 21b). The hydraulic couplers (8, 21) include an outer skirt (13, 22) and an inner plug (14, 23). An outer skirt (13, 22) includes a hydraulic vent (34), and the hydraulic connection system includes a shut-off pin (39) synchronized with the actuation control member (33) to open and/or close the hydraulic vent (34) during actuation of the actuation control member (33).