Nested Fluid Conduit Coupling With Shut-Off Valves and Tapered Bores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid conduit couplings are inefficient in reducing effective length, material cost, and weight while maintaining flow blocking capability, and are prone to auto-submergence and damage, especially in reeling applications.
Innovation Solution
The fluid conduit assembly features coupling sections with tapered bore profiles extending inside the fluid conduits, reducing effective length and weight, and incorporating shut-off valves with petal elements and flanged joints for enhanced protection and flow performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the coupling sections are configured to extend inside the hollow bore of the fluid conduits, then the effective length of the coupling is reduced and material cost is decreased, but the structural robustness and protection of internal features may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling sections are nested inside the hollow bores of the fluid conduits, with the tapered bore profiles of the coupling sections fitting within the fluid conduit bores. This nesting arrangement reduces the effective length of the coupling while the fluid conduits themselves provide an outer housing that protects the coupling's internal features from damage and environmental factors.
2Quantity of substance
If the coupling sections are configured to extend inside the hollow bore of the fluid conduits, then the amount of material required is reduced and weight is decreased, but the protection of internal features from damage and environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the protective housing function with the fluid conduits themselves. The fluid conduits serve dual purposes: transporting fluid and providing an outer housing that encloses and protects the coupling's internal features. This eliminates the need for separate protective housings, reducing material quantity while maintaining protection.
3Volume of moving object
If the coupling sections are configured to extend inside the hollow bore of the fluid conduits, then the overall size and weight of the coupling is reduced, but the risk of auto-submergence of conduit ends after separation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into separate coupling sections that can be independently positioned. The first coupling section extends inside the first fluid conduit's hollow bore, while the second coupling section extends inside the second fluid conduit's hollow bore. This segmentation allows each coupling section to be optimally positioned to reduce overall size while the tapered bore profiles ensure proper alignment and reduce auto-submergence risk.
4Loss of energy
If the first end of the coupling section has a tapered bore profile, then flow separation is minimized and pressure drop is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bore profile is applied locally at the first end of the coupling section that extends inside the fluid conduit, rather than throughout the entire coupling. This localized tapering minimizes flow separation and pressure drop at the critical interface where the coupling enters the conduit, while keeping the rest of the coupling structure simpler and easier to manufacture.
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 configuration minimizes flow separation, reduces pressure drop, and enhances handling and protection, allowing for smaller, lighter, and more robust couplings that maintain flow integrity during separation and reeling.
Implementation Method 1
The configuration of the first end of at least one of the first and second coupling sections to extend inside the hollow bore of the corresponding fluid conduit allows for a reduction in effective length of the coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid conduit assembly (20) comprises: • first and second fluid conduits (22,24); • a coupling including first and second coupling sections (26,28), each coupling section (26,28) defining a respective hollow bore along which flowable material may flow, the first coupling section (26) in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit (22), the second coupling section (28) in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit (24), the coupling sections (26,28) configured to be releasably coupled to each other; and • at least one shut-off valve located within the hollow bore of at least one of the coupling sections (26,28), the or each shut-off valve including a valve member (32) movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position in which the valve member (32) shuts off the flow of a flowable material through the hollow bore, the or each valve member (32) configured to move to its valve closed position on separation of the coupling sections (26,28), • wherein the first coupling section (26) is connected to the first fluid conduit (22) so that a first end (36) of the first coupling section (26) extends inside a hollow bore of the first fluid conduit (22) and a second end (38) of the first coupling section (26) is located outside the hollow bore of the first fluid conduit (22), and/or wherein the second coupling section (28) is connected to the second fluid conduit (24) so that a first end (40) of the second coupling section (28) extends inside a hollow bore of the second fluid conduit (24) and a second end (42) of the second coupling section (28) is located outside the hollow bore of the second fluid conduit (24).