Internal Stem Mounting for Pressure Vessel Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting systems for devices within pressure vessels in gas turbine engines are complex and heavy due to the need for robust fastening and sealing to withstand high temperatures and pressures, requiring thick flanges and complex fasteners to prevent device ejection under pressure.

Innovation Solution

An improved assembly where a stem with a flange extending beyond the hole diameter is used, transferring pressure loads directly to the casing through a sealing element, and a removable retaining element prevents inward movement, allowing for lighter and less complex mounting without the need for external fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If exterior mounting with flanged areas or bosses is used, then device can be removed from outside for maintenance, but fastening and sealing means become complex and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device removalVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening and sealing means

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is mounted from the interior side of the casing wall rather than the exterior side. The stem passes through the hole from the interior, with the flange positioned inside the casing to bear against the inner surface. This inversion eliminates the need for external flanged areas or bosses, simplifying the fastening and sealing means while maintaining ease of removal by accessing the retaining element from the interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If exterior mounting with thick flanges is used, then flange can withstand high temperature and pressure, but mass of flange and casing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of flange under pressureVSAvoidmass of flange and casing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy exterior flanged areas or bosses are eliminated by moving the mounting function to the interior side of the casing wall. The stem with its flange inside the casing carries the mounting function, allowing the casing wall to be thinner and lighter while maintaining the strength needed to withstand high temperature and pressure through the interior-mounted flange and sealing element arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution reduces the thickness and mass of flanges and casings, enhances sealing due to pressure-assisted flange-casing contact, and eliminates the need for heavy, complex fasteners, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective mounting system with reduced risk of leakage.

Implementation Method 1

the casing wall being adapted to contain a pressurized fluid that is disposed within the enclosure and which applies a outward pressure against the casing wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the flange pressed against the inner surface by the pressurized fluid cooperating with the sealing element to seal the hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-assisted sealing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS7805948B2Internally mounted device for a pressure vessel

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

An assembly for sealingly mounting a device in a hole in a pressure vessel casing, the assembly transferring a load produced by pressurized fluid to the casing and retaining the stem to the casing.