Disconnectable Hydraulic Coupling Without Fluid Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic systems for pressure measurement, particularly those with diaphragm seals, face challenges in easy installation and maintenance due to complex assembly processes, wear from aggressive media, and the inability to disconnect and reconnect without fluid loss or system damage, which affects measurement accuracy and requires compensation volumes that are not feasible in electronic pressure measuring devices.
Innovation Solution
A separable hydraulic system design where two parts can be repeatedly connected and disconnected without fluid displacement, using rotatable elements that form a continuous hydraulic connection when joined and shut off when separated, allowing for pressure-tight sealing and minimizing fluid loss, enabling compact and easy mounting through pipes or narrow openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If axial plug-in couplings are used for separable hydraulic connections, then the system can be disconnected and reconnected, but hydraulic fluid is displaced and lost during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable elements are designed to automatically close the hydraulic channels before the parts are fully separated, and to be ready to open them immediately upon connection. This preliminary closing action prevents hydraulic fluid from being displaced or lost during the connection and disconnection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable elements can change their orientation dynamically during the connection and disconnection process. By rotating these elements, the hydraulic channels are opened or closed as needed, allowing the system to adapt its state during operation without fluid loss.
2Reliability
If compensation volumes are added to prevent fluid loss, then fluid displacement is accommodated, but the system becomes unsuitable for electronic pressure measuring devices with minimal fluid volume
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic channels are closed by the rotatable elements before separation occurs, preventing any need for compensation volume. This preliminary closing action ensures that no fluid displacement happens during disconnection, making the system suitable for electronic pressure measuring devices with minimal fluid volume.
3Reliability
If the hydraulic system is permanently connected, then durability and tightness are ensured, but installation complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is divided into separable parts that can be connected and disconnected. The connection interface includes rotatable elements that ensure tight sealing when connected, while allowing easy separation for installation and maintenance. This segmentation maintains reliability through proper sealing while reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system incorporates rotatable elements that can dynamically transition between connected and separated states. This dynamic design allows the system to be permanently connected for normal operation (ensuring durability and tightness) while enabling easy separation when installation or maintenance is needed.
4Ease of operation
If axial movements of closing elements are used to disconnect, then separation is achieved, but hydraulic fluid is axially displaced and lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of axial movement, the closing elements rotate to achieve separation. This rotational motion opens the hydraulic channels in a controlled manner, allowing the system to transition from connected to separated state without axially displacing or losing hydraulic fluid.
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
This design prevents fluid loss during connection and disconnection, allows for repeated separation and connection under pressure, supports negative pressure measurements, and maintains low hydraulic fluid volume, reducing temperature influence on measurement signals, thus enhancing system reliability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the first part and the second part are designed in such a way that, when changing from the connected state to the separated state and vice versa, no hydraulic fluid is displaced into the first hydraulic channel and/or second hydraulic channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A separable hydraulic system (10) comprising a first part (12, 12') to which a first hydraulic channel for conveying hydraulic fluid can be connected, and a second part (42, 42') to which a second hydraulic channel for conveying hydraulic fluid can be connected. The first part (12, 12') and the second part (42, 42') are repeatably separable and reconnectable such that, in the connected state, the first and second hydraulic channels are hydraulically continuous, while in the separated state, the first and second hydraulic channels are separated from each other, with the first hydraulic channel being sealed off from the environment by the first part (12, 12') and the second hydraulic channel being sealed off by the second part (42, 42'). According to the invention, the first part (12, 12') and the second part (42, 42') are designed such that no hydraulic fluid is displaced in either the first or the second hydraulic channel when the state is changed.