Metal Tube Fitting Seal Geometry for Debris-Tolerant Refrigerant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant systems experience leakage due to contamination, debris, surface imperfections, and misassembly, which existing solutions like multiple o-ring seals or axial gaskets fail to adequately address, especially in compact applications like electric and hybrid vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device and fitting assembly utilizing a deformable annular metal seal with a tin coating, which compresses and conforms to fill gaps and surface irregularities between the flow control device and tube fittings, enhancing sealing while minimizing package size and misassembly risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple o-ring seals are provided to maximize radial sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but component cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from multiple separate o-ring seals and consolidates it into a single integrated metal seal component that performs both radial and axial sealing functions simultaneously, thereby reducing component count and assembly complexity while maintaining sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The metal seal is designed to perform multiple sealing functions (radial and axial sealing) with a single component, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate sealing elements, thus reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability
2Reliability
If axial sealing gaskets are provided to maximize sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges radial and axial sealing functions into a single integrated metal seal component with a specific cross-sectional geometry, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and reducing overall package size while maintaining effective sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The metal seal is designed with a flexible, deformable cross-sectional shape that allows it to conform to surface irregularities and debris in the sealing interface, providing effective sealing with a compact form factor that does not increase package size
3Reliability
If contamination and debris are present in assembly, then sealing reliability deteriorates, but existing sealing solutions fail to adequately address this issue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the presence of contamination and debris from harmful factors into beneficial elements by designing a seal geometry that uses these particles as positioning features and sealing elements, where the protrusions and recesses in the seal cross-section allow debris to become part of the sealing mechanism rather than obstacles to sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The metal seal is designed with specific geometric parameters including protrusions and recesses in its cross-section that allow it to adapt to varying degrees of contamination and surface irregularities, maintaining sealing effectiveness across a range of contamination levels by deforming to fill gaps created by debris
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 metal seal effectively reduces leakage by conforming to irregularities and debris, improving sealing durability and operational efficiency while maintaining compact dimensions, thus addressing contamination and assembly issues in refrigerant systems.
Implementation Method 1
The annular body is a malleable material having a tin coating applied to an outer surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
The annular body is compressed and deformable intermediate the flow control device and the tube fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control device for conveying a fluid therethrough includes a port having an engaging end configured for engagement with a tube fitting and an inner surface defining a passageway configured to provide fluid communication through the flow control device. A shoulder is formed on the inner surface of the port adjacent the engaging end. The shoulder defines a first seating surface and a second seating surface. A protuberance is formed on one of the first seating surface and the second seating surface.