Inflatable Seal Tube Mounting for Pulp Drum Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for rotatable drums in pulp dewatering apparatuses are cumbersome to install and require precise orientation, leading to inefficiencies and the need for multiple tube lengths to ensure proper sealing, causing production interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a rotational symmetric elastic tube with a collar and nipple element, which is expandable by pressurizing fluid, and a holder with a groove, ensuring correct orientation and secure locking, allowing for easy installation and replacement without stockpiling multiple tube lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an inflatable tube is used to provide pressure to the sealing member, then the sealing pressure can be adjusted, but the tube must be correctly oriented in the groove which makes installation cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetric features (collar and nipple element) on the inflatable tube to ensure correct orientation during installation. The collar fits into a corresponding groove in the holder, and the nipple element aligns with the fluid supply, preventing incorrect installation and ensuring proper sealing pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the inflatable tube and the holder groove. It facilitates correct orientation and secure mounting of the tube in the groove, making installation easier and ensuring proper positioning for effective sealing.
2Reliability
If the inflatable tube length is exactly adapted to the groove length, then proper sealing pressure can be maintained along the entire sealing member, but multiple tube lengths must be kept in stock for replacement to avoid production interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal mounting system where the collar and nipple element design allows a single tube length to be used across different applications. The standardized interface enables easy replacement without needing to stock multiple tube lengths, as the same tube can be installed in various positions and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the tube from its mounting components (collar and nipple element), allowing the tube to be a standardized, replaceable component. This segmentation enables independent replacement of the tube without affecting the mounting structure, facilitating easier maintenance and reduced inventory requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tube is pushed into the groove during installation, then the tube can be positioned, but the tube tends to turn in the groove such that it is not correctly oriented
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric collar and nipple element features prevent the tube from rotating or turning incorrectly during installation. The collar's shape matches the groove geometry, and the nipple element provides a unique orientation reference, ensuring the tube is installed in the correct orientation without requiring complex alignment procedures.
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 provides improved ease of installation and secure sealing between rotatable drums and end casing members, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing production interruptions by ensuring consistent pressure distribution along the sealing surface.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic tube, which is expandable by a pressurizing fluid
Implementation Method 2
When pressurized, the elastic tube acts on the movable sealing element, the movable sealing element being arranged to fit into the groove and in contact with the elastic tube and when the elastic tube is pressurized, the movable sealing element is pressed in an outward direction by the expanding elastic tube
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
A pressure device (10) for a sealing arrangement (50) configured to be used in an apparatus for processing pulp, said pressure device (10) including a movable sealing element (70) for mounting in a holder (55) comprising an extended groove (60). The pressure device includes an elastic tube (20) expandableby a pressurizing fluid and provided with rotational symmetric cross-section area (22), at least one collar (30) having a cross-section area (32) corresponding to the first cross-section area (22) of the elastic tube (20) in a non-pressurized state. The collar (30) is arranged to connect the pressurized elastic tube (20) to a nipple element (40; 80) and to fluid-tightly and firmly lock the pressurized elastic tube (20) to the nipple element (40; 80). The nipple element (40; 80) has a nipple (44; 84) arranged for connection to a pressurizing fluid supply and wherein the elastic tube (20) acts on the movable sealing element (70) arranged to fit into the groove (60), having a first sealing surface (71) and a second surface (72) delimiting the groove (60) and in contact with said elastic tube (20), when pressurized, the movable sealing element (70) being pressed in an outward direction by the expanding elastic tube (20) to thereby bear against a surface (80) to provide a seal.