Locking Nut and Sealing Washer Assembly for Fast Leak-Free Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing grinding mills in the mining industry face challenges with leakage due to large gaps between bolts and apertures, and the removal of cup washers is time-consuming and hazardous, requiring separate tools and posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A locking nut with a flange and a sealing washer featuring a retaining means, such as a retaining groove and insert, that allows for simultaneous removal with a standard pneumatic tool, ensuring a secure seal and reducing the need for specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cup washer with sealing material is used to seal the aperture, then leakage is prevented, but the washer deforms and fails to seal, causing difficulties in removal and potential leakage during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cup washer into two separate components: a reusable body (retaining insert) and a replaceable sealing element (elastomeric ring). The elastomeric ring can be removed and replaced independently without affecting the retaining insert, allowing the sealing function to be renewed while the structural component remains intact. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy replacement of the deformed sealing material while maintaining the integrity of the retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric ring is designed as a consumable component that can be discarded when deformed or damaged, while the retaining insert is recovered and reused. This allows the sealing element to be replaced without removing the entire cup washer assembly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable sealing and enabling easy removal/replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the nut is removed first to allow cup washer removal, then the cup washer can be accessed, but significant time is spent in seeking to remove a single cup washer and nut
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cup washer body (retaining insert) with the nut function by integrating the retaining means directly into the nut structure. The retaining insert is received within the nut, combining the fastening and retention functions into a single integrated component. This allows the entire assembly to be removed as one unit, eliminating the sequential removal process and significantly improving maintenance productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fastening element and as a retaining mechanism for the elastomeric ring. The retaining means integrated into the nut allows the sealing element to be secured without requiring a separate cup washer body, simplifying the overall assembly and enabling faster removal and replacement operations.
3Ease of operation
If a specialized removal tool is used to remove the cup washer, then removal can be achieved, but the worker needs to be in possession of the special removal tool, increasing costs and posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric ring is designed to be self-retaining through friction engagement with the retaining means, eliminating the need for specialized tools for both installation and removal. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity allows it to be manually inserted and secured by friction, and equally easily removed by pulling, making the system self-servicing and eliminating dependency on specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric ring is designed as a simple, inexpensive, disposable component that can be easily replaced without tools. Rather than requiring a complex reusable system with specialized removal tools, the invention uses a simple elastomeric element that can be discarded and replaced quickly, reducing both device complexity and safety risks associated with specialized tools.
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 enables efficient and safe removal of the locking nut and washer assembly, reducing maintenance time and eliminating safety hazards associated with specialized tools, while maintaining a secure seal against leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric ring which is deformable to seal between the retaining insert and the bolt
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved locking nut and sealing washer for use with a threaded bolt. The the locking nut has a flange. The sealing washer is attached to an elastomer and has retaining means provided therein. When the locking nut is seated on the sealing washer, a removable retaining insert may be manipulated to be received within the retaining means. Thereafter, when force is applied to the locking nut to move the locking nut in a first direction along the threaded bolt, the flange pushes against the sealing washer to push the sealing washer in the same direction and, when force is applied to the locking nut in an opposing direction along the threaded bolt, the flange pushes against the retaining insert to push the sealing washer in the same direction.