Inflatable Inlet Adapter Sealing Irregular Engine Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cone-type inlet adapters are ineffective for fluid systems with non-round or oblong openings and cannot handle high pressures, making it difficult to detect leaks in modern vehicles with rectangular or dual exhaust tips and boosted engines operating at pressures above 10-20 PSI.
Innovation Solution
A universal inflatable inlet adapter with a conformable bladder and test fluid delivery tube that forms a fluid-tight seal in variously shaped ducts, allowing pressurized smoke to be delivered for leak detection, using a hand pump or compressed air to inflate and secure the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cone-type inlet adapters are used, then the device structure is simple, but they cannot form fluid-tight seals in non-round or oblong openings and cannot handle high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable bladder made of flexible material that can be inserted into ducts of various shapes (round, rectangular, oblong). When inflated, the bladder conforms to the inner surface of the duct opening and forms a fluid-tight seal. This flexible shell approach allows the same device to adapt to multiple duct geometries while maintaining sealing integrity under high pressure conditions (above 10-20 PSI).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the sealing element from deflated (compact, insertable) to inflated (expanded, sealing). By controlling the inflation pressure parameter, the bladder transitions to match the duct opening shape and size, enabling universal compatibility across different duct configurations while maintaining the ability to withstand high system pressures.
2Reliability
If conventional inlet adapters are used, then the device complexity is low, but they cannot deliver pressurized smoke effectively in high pressure systems above 10-20 PSI
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder acts as a pressure-containing flexible shell that can withstand high system pressures (above 10-20 PSI). The bladder's flexible structure allows it to expand and seal effectively while containing the pressurized smoke, enabling accurate leak detection in high-pressure boosted engine systems without compromising detection reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conformable seal is created in variously shaped ducts, then adaptability to different fluid systems is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple inflatable bladder structure that achieves universal adaptability through inflation rather than complex mechanical adjustments. The bladder's flexibility allows it to conform to any duct shape (round, rectangular, oblong) without requiring multiple specialized adapters, thereby maintaining device simplicity while maximizing versatility across different fluid systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder design provides universal functionality for sealing various duct shapes and sizes with a single device. Rather than requiring multiple specialized cone-type adapters for different geometries, one inflatable bladder can adapt to any duct configuration, simplifying the overall device architecture while enhancing adaptability.
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
Enables effective leak detection in a wide range of fluid systems, including those with complex shapes and high pressures, by creating a conformable seal and maintaining a pressure differential for accurate testing.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable bladder selectively transitional between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration. 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
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
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 3A
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.