Integral Foreign Material Exclusion Device Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foreign material exclusion devices for constructions like tubes and turbines lack reliable alignment and integration, leading to potential loss or separation of components during assembly or maintenance, and do not facilitate easy cleaning or debris removal.

Innovation Solution

A foreign material exclusion device with a conformable enclosure that houses a resilient body, featuring internal support components for alignment and a connector segment for retrieval aids, along with flaps for sealing, to ensure secure placement and easy removal from constructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a resilient body is used to seal openings, then the device can be compressed to fit and re-expanded for a snug fit, but the body may lose alignment or separate from the enclosure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressibility and re-expansion capabilityVSAvoidalignment maintenance and component integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure and resilient body are interconnected through internal support components to form an integrated unitary construction. The support components include alignment features such as ribs, grooves, or interlocking mechanisms that merge the previously separate components into a unified structure, preventing misalignment or separation during compression and re-expansion cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal support components are pre-configured with alignment features that establish and maintain proper alignment between the enclosure and resilient body before compression occurs. These pre-built structural elements ensure that when the device is compressed or re-expanded, the components remain properly aligned without requiring active control during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the resilient body is made elastic for easy insertion, then it can be compressed to fit into openings, but pieces of the body may separate or be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion ease through compressionVSAvoidloss of body pieces or fragments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure and resilient body are merged into a unitary construction through internal support components, ensuring that even when the resilient body is compressed or deformed during insertion, it remains structurally integrated with the enclosure and cannot separate or lose pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal support components provide structural reinforcement and containment for the resilient body before compression occurs. This pre-existing support structure prevents the resilient body from fragmenting or separating during the compression and insertion process, cushioning against potential material failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the device is made as a unitary construction, then alignment is reliable, but cleaning and debris removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining a unitary construction for alignment reliability, the device incorporates removable components such as flaps or access panels that can be separated from the main enclosure. This segmentation allows cleaning tools or retrieval aids to access the interior spaces for debris removal, while the overall unitary structure maintains proper alignment during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device provides reliable alignment and secure sealing within constructions, preventing debris entry and allowing for easy retrieval and cleaning, thereby enhancing safety and preventing damage to sensitive equipment.

Implementation Method 1

The foreign material exclusion device is substantially elastic or resilient and can be compressed to fit into a desired opening and can be re-expanded to provide a snug fit about an opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9938859B2Integral, enclosed foreign material exclusion device

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 ADVANCED F M E PROD

AI summary

Foreign material exclusion devices adapted to be positioned in a construction, for example a tube or pipe to temporarily seal off one side of the construction from another. The device includes a resilient body surrounded by an enclosure that substantially conforms to the shape of the body. At least one internal support component aids in connecting the enclosure to the body and provided reliable, consistent alignment between the body and enclosure.