Hydraulic Joint Segmentation for Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic joints and flow lines have a short usable life due to harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperature variability, and are inadequate to handle high capacity requirements in applications like wind power and industrial machinery, leading to safety concerns and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic joint assembly with flexible sections and multiple seals, including Teflon bronze seals, to accommodate relative movement and harsh conditions, featuring ball joints, linearly moveable joints, and a configuration that allows for fluid weeping and drainage, with optional temperature-regulating seals and leakage monitoring connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional hydraulic joints and flow lines are used in harsh environments, then initial installation is simple, but their usable life is short due to high temperature variability and harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic flow line is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section, fourth section) that can move independently relative to each other through ball joints and linearly moveable joints. This segmentation allows each section to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction independently, preventing stress concentration and failure in harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly incorporates moveable couplings including ball joints and linearly moveable joints with telescopic sections that allow dynamic adjustment and relative movement between sections. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to temperature-induced dimensional changes and maintain functionality throughout the desired service life.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid hydraulic flow lines are used to maintain structural stability, then they provide reliable fluid transfer, but they cannot accommodate expansion and contraction in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The flow line is segmented into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible joints. Each section maintains structural integrity for stable fluid transfer, while the joints between sections provide the necessary flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without compromising overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly uses flexible coupling mechanisms including ball joints and telescopic linearly moveable joints that allow relative movement between rigid sections. These flexible elements enable the system to absorb dimensional changes from thermal effects while maintaining the structural stability needed for reliable hydraulic operation.
3Reliability
If frequent replacement of hydraulic hoses and joints is performed to meet safety regulations, then safety concerns are addressed, but maintenance costs increase significantly over the long term
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is designed with robust moveable couplings and sealed chambers that preemptively address the effects of harsh environments. By incorporating features that accommodate thermal expansion and contraction from the outset, the system prevents premature failure and reduces the frequency of maintenance interventions required to maintain safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic design with moveable joints allows the system to continuously adapt to environmental conditions, preventing the stress accumulation that leads to failure. This extends the service life of the hydraulic flow line, reducing the frequency of replacements needed to comply with safety regulations and thereby reducing maintenance time and costs.
4Quantity of substance
If currently available hydraulic joints are used, then they meet basic fluid transfer requirements, but they are inadequate to handle high capacity requirements in applications like wind power
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-section design with intermediate expansion chambers allows the system to handle high fluid capacities by providing multiple flow paths and expansion spaces. Each section can be optimized for specific flow requirements, and the overall assembly can accommodate the high volume flow rates demanded by wind power and other high-capacity applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable couplings and telescopic sections enable the joint assembly to dynamically adjust to high flow conditions and associated pressure variations. This dynamic capability, combined with the segmented design, makes the system suitable for high-capacity applications where rigid conventional joints would be inadequate.
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 extends the usable life of hydraulic joints and flow lines, enhances their capacity to handle harsh conditions, and reduces maintenance costs by providing a flexible and reliable system for fluid transfer in demanding applications.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is configured to allow for the passage of a portion of the fluid as a weep into a volume defined between at least the seal, the one or more of the first section, the second section, the third section and the fourth section and a second seal
Implementation Method 2
the one or more of the first section, the second section, the third section and the fourth section is configured to define a passageway to drain the portion of the fluid from the volume
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and assemblies that can be utilized with hydraulic and other fluid flow lines are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present application discloses an assembly that can include a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section can define a first passageway therein to receive and allow for passage of a fluid. The second section can define a second passageway that communicates with the first passageway. The second section and the first section together can form a first ball joint having an internal portion and an external portion. The first ball joint can comprise a moveable coupling between second section and the first section. The third section can define a third passageway that communicates with the second passageway. The third section can telescopically receive the second section therein and can be configured to form a linearly moveable joint between the third section and the second section.