Inclined Fluid Coupling Assembly for Controlled Breakout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Releasable coupling assemblies for fluid passages face challenges with high separation forces due to fluid pressure, requiring additional mechanical retention, which can lead to undesired breakout forces and limitations in 'pigging' capabilities, especially in high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly design where the male and female coupling members are inclined relative to each other, utilizing sealing rings to create a net force resisting separation, allowing for controlled breakout strength and enabling single-in-line fluid flow and 'pigging' capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical retention devices are added to counteract separation force, then the coupling assembly can prevent uncoupling under high pressure, but the breakout strength becomes higher than desired and pigging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional mechanical retention devices (such as interlocking teeth or locking mechanisms) from the coupling assembly. Instead, it relies on the frictional force between the male and female coupling members to counteract separation force, thereby eliminating the interference with pigging capability while maintaining sufficient retention under normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coupling members, specifically designing the male coupling member with a tapered surface that fits into a corresponding tapered socket in the female coupling member. This geometric configuration, combined with the frictional force, provides the necessary retention without requiring additional mechanical retention devices.
2Reliability
If mechanical retention devices are added to counteract separation force, then the coupling assembly can prevent uncoupling during turbulence, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex mechanical retention devices from the coupling assembly. The retention function is achieved through the simplified frictional interaction between the male and female coupling members, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are designed to self-retain through the frictional force generated by their geometric configuration. The tapered surfaces of the male and female coupling members automatically provide the necessary retention force without requiring external retention mechanisms.
3Productivity
If protrusions and fluid paths are added to create turbulence, then mixing is improved, but pigging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes protrusions and complex fluid path features from the coupling assembly. The fluid passage is designed as a smooth, continuous path without obstructions, thereby eliminating interference with pigging capability while still allowing for adequate fluid mixing through the natural flow characteristics.
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 design effectively manages separation forces, allows for controlled breakout, and facilitates 'pigging' by using inclined coupling members and sealing rings to maintain fluid flow and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a force acting to resist separation is created by the fluid. The coupling assembly is arranged such that it comprises an internal surface upon which fluid exerts pressure of equal area to the cross sectional area of the male coupling member where it exits the female coupling member
Implementation Method 2
the separation force quickly becomes large with high-pressure fluids and large diameters. When the separation force becomes greater than the frictional force retaining the coupling parts together, it is necessary to incorporate an additional form of mechanical retention
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.