Quick-Fit Hydraulic Coupling Shutter Stem Force Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-fit hydraulic or hydrodynamic couplings for pressurized fluids face safety risks and fluid loss during engagement, as they require pressure release and can trap air, leading to inefficiencies and operator hazards.
Innovation Solution
A quick-fit coupling design featuring a shutter stem with a configuration that allows axial and radial fluid pressure to generate a resultant force with null components, enabling manual engagement without pressure opposition, thus preventing fluid loss and air contamination, and optimizing flow rates by minimizing head losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional pressure release procedure is used for engagement, then the shutter can be opened to allow coupling, but fluid is lost and air contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter distribution by configuring the shutter stem with specific surface areas (S1, S2, S3) that balance the fluid pressure forces. The stem is designed so that the resultant force of fluid pressure has a substantially null component in the axial direction, allowing the shutter to open without pressure release while preventing fluid loss and air contamination.
2Ease of operation
If the conventional pressure release procedure is used for engagement, then the shutter can be opened to allow coupling, but operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the force balance parameters by designing the shutter stem with specific surface areas that equalize the fluid pressure forces acting on it. This allows the shutter to be opened manually without releasing fluid pressure, eliminating the safety hazards associated with high-pressure fluid release while maintaining operator protection.
3Reliability
If the shutter stem is configured to balance fluid pressure forces, then engagement can occur without pressure release, but the stem design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves force balance by carefully designing the surface areas (S1, S2, S3) of the shutter stem exposed to fluid pressure. The mathematical relationship S1 + S3 = S2 ensures that the resultant force in the axial direction is substantially null, allowing simple manual operation while maintaining safety and preventing fluid loss.
4Device complexity
If the conventional coupling design is used, then the structure is simpler, but head losses increase and flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the flow path by designing the shutter stem and valve body with curved surfaces and rounded edges that minimize turbulence and head losses. The cavity and passage are configured with smooth transitions that maintain laminar flow, thereby maximizing flow rate while keeping the structural design relatively simple.
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 ensures safe and efficient engagement of couplings under pressure without fluid release, minimizing fluid loss and air contamination, while maximizing flow rates and ensuring operator safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a shutter stem (5) positioned in said cavity and movable with respect to the valve body along the longitudinal axis between a position for opening and a position for closing an axial passage of fluid through the cavity in contrast to and by action of at least one elastic element (6)
Implementation Method 2
said stem is configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in said cavity to a resultant force having a substantially null component at least in an axial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The quick- fit coupling (1) for pressurised fluid comprises a valve body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and having an axial cavity (4) wherein a shutter stem (5) is axialiy movable with respect to the valve body in contrast to and by action of at least one elastic element (6) between a position for opening and a position for closing an axial passage of fluid through said cavity (4), the stem (5) being configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in the cavity (4) to a resultant force having a substantially null component at least in an axial direction.