Internal-Bearing Boss Mount for Pressure Vessel Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for securing pressure vessels to vehicles face challenges such as misalignment, stress on the neck structure, inadequate securing, and space inefficiency, particularly in limited spaces like vehicles, where the cylindrical shape of the vessels complicates mounting and can lead to detachment or rotational stress on connection lines.
Innovation Solution
A boss with an internal bearing and attachment element that allows for longitudinal sliding movement within bores, enabling secure attachment to a vessel mount while accommodating misalignment and providing rotational freedom, thus eliminating the need for external mounting blocks and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collar or similar device is used to secure the gas cylinder by the neck, then the cylinder can be mounted, but misalignment places substantial stresses on the neck structure and can lead to detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: the boss integrated with the vessel, the bearing that provides rotational freedom, and the attachment element that secures to the mount. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the neck structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing acts as an intermediary between the boss and the attachment element, providing rotational freedom and accommodating misalignment. This intermediary component absorbs the misalignment stresses that would otherwise be transmitted to the neck structure, protecting it from substantial stresses.
2Reliability
If external mounting blocks are used to secure the pressure vessel, then the vessel can be mounted, but space efficiency is reduced in confined spaces like vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The boss is merged with the pressure vessel as an integrated component rather than a separate mounting block. The bearing and attachment elements are positioned to utilize the vessel's own structure, eliminating the need for external mounting blocks and optimizing space usage in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is disposed at least partially within the first bore of the boss, and the attachment element extends through bores in a nested arrangement. This nesting consolidates the mounting components within the existing structure, eliminating the need for additional external space.
3Reliability
If the pressure vessel is secured rigidly to prevent rotation, then mounting stability is improved, but the neck structure experiences stress from rotational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic connection that allows controlled rotation through the bearing. The bearing provides rotational freedom while the attachment element prevents excessive movement, creating a dynamic system that accommodates rotational forces without transmitting stress to the neck structure.
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 enhances the securement of pressure vessels by allowing for expansion in length and rotational freedom without stressing the neck, thereby improving mounting stability and space efficiency, particularly in confined spaces like vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A boss configured for attachment to a pressure vessel includes a first bore therein and a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore. A system for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount includes a boss, a bearing, and an attachment element. The boss is attached to the pressure vessel and has a first bore therein. The bearing is disposed at least partially within the first bore and has a second bore therethrough. The attachment element is configured to be affixed to the vessel mount, wherein a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. A method is described for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount.