Inflatable Catheter Adapter for High-Pressure Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid systems, particularly those with high-pressure components like boosted engines, require a universal inlet adapter that can form a fluid-tight seal and deliver pressurized smoke for effective leak detection, but existing adapters are often customized for specific sizes and configurations, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A universal, inflatable inlet adapter with a conformable bladder and rigid end caps, coupled with a test fluid delivery tube, that transitions from a deflated to an inflated configuration to create a fluid-tight seal and deliver pressurized smoke for leak detection across various fluid system sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal inlet adapter is used to test multiple fluid systems, then versatility is improved, but forming a fluid-tight seal at high pressure becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable bladder made of flexible material that can expand to conform to the inner surface of fluid ducts of various sizes and shapes. This flexible membrane structure allows the single universal adapter to adapt to multiple duct configurations while maintaining a reliable fluid-tight seal under high pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter utilizes parameter changes by inflating the bladder with gas or liquid to alter its volume and shape. This transformation enables the bladder to expand from a compact deflated state for insertion to a fully inflated state that seals against the duct wall, accommodating different duct dimensions while ensuring a secure seal.
2Reliability
If the adapter is inflated to form a seal, then sealing capability is improved, but the axial length increases which complicates insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs dynamic transformation by transitioning the bladder between deflated and inflated states. In the deflated state, the adapter has a compact axial length for easy insertion. Upon inflation, the bladder expands radially to form a seal while the rigid end caps maintain a fixed axial length, allowing the adapter to achieve sealing capability without permanently increasing its length.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the length issue by shifting the expansion from the axial dimension to the radial dimension. The bladder expands outward radially to contact and seal against the duct wall, rather than extending axially. This dimensional change allows the adapter to achieve effective sealing while maintaining a manageable axial profile for insertion and removal operations.
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 adapter effectively seals and delivers pressurized smoke to detect leaks in fluid systems, including those under high pressure, by conforming to unique duct sizes and shapes, ensuring reliable fluid integrity testing across a range of pressures from 0.5 to 20 PSI.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable bladder selectively transitional between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to be engagable with the fluid duct to form a fluid tight seal therebetween as the inflatable bladder transitions from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration
Implementation Method 2
a test fluid delivery tube extending through the inflatable bladder such that the inflatable bladder is disposed radially outward from the test fluid delivery tube, the test fluid delivery tube being fluidly connectable with the leak detection device for delivering the pressurized detection media into the fluid duct for testing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inflatable, balloon-type catheter apparatus which is conformable to fit most all intake and exhaust systems to delivery pressure (with or without smoke) to test the fluid integrity of the fluid system. The device is configured to be inserted into the canal of the intake or exhaust system and inflated to seal off the fluid system. The pressurized smoke is passed through the inflated inlet adapter to test for leaks.