Inflatable Seal Junction for Right Angle Corners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable sealing arrangements fail to effectively seal right angle outer corners between surfaces, leading to gaps or insufficient abutment, as they do not expand uniformly in the proximity region of the corner, resulting in an ineffective seal.
Innovation Solution
The sealing arrangement features a design where the cross-section of the space is increased in the junction region, allowing the side walls to stretch further diagonally upon inflation, ensuring the outer corner moves equally in both expansion directions, thus providing an efficient seal at right angle corners without gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inflatable seal is used with a right angle outer corner, then the seal can be attached to surfaces forming a corner, but the seal does not expand uniformly in the proximity region of the corner, resulting in gaps or insufficient abutment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a junction region with increased cross-sectional area specifically at the corner where two top walls meet. This localized geometric modification ensures that the seal expands uniformly throughout, including in the proximity region of the outer corner, thereby eliminating gaps and ensuring effective sealing without compromising the right angle corner configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimensional consideration by increasing the cross-sectional area of the junction region. This additional dimensional adjustment compensates for the non-uniform expansion that would otherwise occur at the corner, allowing the seal to achieve uniform expansion in all directions including the corner proximity region
2Manufacturing precision
If the cross-section of the space is increased in the junction region, then the outer corner moves further diagonally upon inflation ensuring equal movement in both expansion directions, but the side walls become longer increasing the complexity of the seal structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the geometric modification specifically in the junction region where the two top walls meet. Only this localized area has an increased cross-sectional area, while the rest of the seal maintains its standard configuration. This targeted approach ensures the outer corner moves the required distance without unnecessarily increasing the overall complexity of the entire seal structure
3Reliability
If a smoothly curved transition is provided between surfaces to avoid right angle outer corners, then the seal can expand uniformly, but the radius of the curved transition must be relatively large which increases the space required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not avoiding the right angle corner, but rather accepting it and compensating for the expansion issue through a different mechanism. Instead of rounding the corner with a large radius curve, the patent increases the cross-sectional area of the junction region, allowing the seal to maintain the right angle configuration while achieving uniform expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent solves the expansion uniformity problem by introducing a dimensional change in the cross-sectional area of the junction region rather than modifying the planar geometry with a large radius curve. This allows the seal to achieve uniform expansion without requiring additional space for a curved transition
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
This design ensures a tight seal at right angle outer corners by allowing the seal to move equally in both directions, eliminating gaps and reducing wear on the seal during inflation and deflation, while maintaining a smaller radius for reduced stress and higher pressure against surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
each having elongated elastic walls including a bottom wall, a top wall opposite the bottom wall, and two side walls which together with the bottom wall and the top wall define a space
Implementation Method 2
in the junction region, the walls of each member define a space, the cross-section of which is increased in the respective expansion direction in relation to the space of each member outside the junction region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A sealing arrangement (404) for sealing between surfaces (408, 408, 410, 412, 414} of which at least two surfaces (408, 408) form an outer corner (416). The sealing arrangement (404) comprises a first and a second member (502, 504} and a junction region (508) where said members (502, 504) join. Each member (502, 504) has elongated elastic walls comprising a bottom wail (508, 510) and a top wall (512, 514), the walls defining an inflatable space (520-a, 520-b, 520-c; 820). Each member (502, 504) defines a longitudinal central axis (x-x, y-y}, where the axes (x-x, y-y) form an angle (a) between them. When the space (520-a, 520- b, 520-c; 820) is inflated, the top wall (512) of each member (502, 504) is adapted to move outwardly, from a resting position to a sealing position, in a respective expansion direction (a, b) transverse to the axis (x-x, y-y) of the respective member (502, 504). The top walls (512, 514) form an angle (ß) between them in the junction region (508). The junction region (508) is designed such that when the space (520-a, 520-b, 520-c; 820} is inflated, the top wall (512, 514) of the member (502, 504) is adapted to move substantially the same distance (d1 d2) from the resting position to the sealing position along the entire longitudinal extension of the member (502, 504), An apparatus member (115) and an apparatus for washing and/or dewatering pulp each provided with said sealing arrangement (404).