Hydrogen Hose Fitting Crimp Sleeve for High-Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure hydrogen fluid lines require a fitting that ensures a tight connection while minimizing hydrogen permeation, which existing technologies fail to achieve effectively due to mechanical stress and high operating pressures.

Innovation Solution

A fitting with a nipple and press sleeve design that includes an annular groove with a sealing element, such as an O-ring, and a dedicated sealing element pressing projection that enhances the sealing effect by clamping the hose section against the sealing element, combined with uneven hose retaining surfaces to promote a secure and tight connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional compression sleeve design is used to connect the hose to the nipple, then the connection can be assembled, but the sealing effect is insufficient under high pressure and hydrogen permeation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidhydrogen permeation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compression sleeve is equipped with a dedicated sealing element compression projection that locally concentrates compression force on the sealing element. This projection extends circumferentially and is spaced apart from other compression projections, creating a localized high-compression zone that enhances the sealing effect specifically at the sealing element-hose interface, preventing hydrogen permeation while maintaining overall connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element compression projection is pre-positioned on the compression sleeve to engage with the sealing element before final crimping occurs. This preliminary action ensures the sealing element is properly seated and compressed against the hose inner surface from the beginning of the crimping process, establishing an effective seal before full mechanical connection is achieved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the hose is pressed tightly onto the nipple to ensure a tight connection, then connection strength improves, but the complexity of the fitting design increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidfitting design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression sleeve's inner side features multiple compression projections arranged spaced apart in the axial direction, with the sealing element compression projection being one distinct segment. This segmentation allows different regions of the compression sleeve to perform different functions: the sealing element compression projection focuses on sealing, while other compression projections provide structural support and distribution of compression forces, achieving strong connection without excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compression sleeve serves multiple functions through its integrated design: it provides mechanical compression for connection strength, houses the sealing element compression projection for sealing, and distributes forces through multiple compression projections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining design simplicity while achieving both tight connection and effective sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves a high-tightness connection capable of withstanding pressures up to 2000 bar with minimal hydrogen permeation, ensuring reliable operation in high-pressure hydrogen applications.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element, in particular designed as an O-ring, is arranged in the annular groove to seal the nipple against an inner surface of the hose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an end section of the hose is pushed onto a nipple of the fitting and pressed onto the nipple using a compression sleeve of the fitting (e.g., crimped), whereby the compression sleeve is plastically deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4390205A1Fitting for connecting a hose, in particular for high-pressure hydrogen fluid lines
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 CONTITECH DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4390205A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390205A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390205A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fitting (10) for connecting a hose (20), in particular for high-pressure hydrogen fluid lines, with a nipple (30) and a crimp sleeve (40), wherein an end section (21) of the hose (20) can be slid onto the nipple (30) and crimped onto the nipple (30) by means of the crimp sleeve (40) in a sealing manner, wherein the nipple (30) has an annular groove (34) in which a sealing element (35) for sealing the nipple (30) against an inner surface (22) of the hose (20) is arranged, wherein the crimp sleeve (40) has on its inner side (41) several crimping projections (42) arranged axially spaced apart from one another as well as a sealing element crimping projection (43) which at least partially covers the sealing element (35) in the axial direction.