Orthogonal Passage Pipe Joint for Emergency Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe joints for emergency releasing in hydrogen fueling systems are complex, prone to leakage, and risk separation of components due to excessive tensile forces, leading to potential hydrogen gas leaks and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a cylindrical plug and socket with orthogonal passages, connected by radial connecting members that release connection when an external force exceeds a predetermined value, minimizing the need for seal materials and reducing the risk of leakage by ensuring the plug and socket are not pressed together excessively, thus preventing separation and blow-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seal materials are mounted in the pipe joint to prevent hydrogen gas leakage, then leakage prevention is improved, but the structure becomes complex and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes seal materials from the pipe joint structure entirely. The connection between plug and socket is designed to be inherently leak-proof through the orthogonal passage arrangement and direct contact of end portions, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and simplifying the overall structure.
2Reliability
If the plug and socket are pressed together with high force to ensure connection integrity, then connection reliability is improved, but the risk of separation under excessive tensile force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric force distribution by arranging passages orthogonally rather than linearly. This causes the end portions of the plug and socket to contact at offset positions, creating a moment that resists separation forces while maintaining connection integrity through distributed contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthogonal arrangement of passages transitions the force interaction from a single-dimensional linear press to a multi-dimensional moment-based connection. The offset contact points create rotational resistance that prevents separation under tensile loads while maintaining secure connection.
3Ease of operation
If the pipe joint is designed for easy separation under excessive tensile force, then emergency releasing capability is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled separation and blow-off increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric orthogonal passage arrangement creates a moment-based connection that separates in a controlled manner under excessive tensile force. The offset contact points ensure that separation occurs through rotation rather than sudden uncontrolled release, preventing blow-off while enabling emergency disconnect.
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 design minimizes the risk of hydrogen gas leakage, simplifies the structure, and ensures reliable separation of the plug and socket under excessive tensile forces, maintaining connection integrity while preventing high-pressure gas discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body (4: plug side spring), and another end is locked by at least one locking member (7: locking balls) to open the plug side shutoff valve (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a pipe joint for emergency releasing with a minimized seal structure to minimize leakage risk. Pipe joints (100, 101: pipe joints for emergency releasing) of the present invention include a cylindrical plug (10) in which a passage (1A: in-plug passage) is formed, a cylindrical socket (20) in which a passage (21A: in-socket passage) is formed, and shutoff valves (5, 24) mounted in the plug (10) and the socket (20) for opening the passages (1A, 21A) of the plug (10) and the socket (20) when the plug (10) is inserted into the socket (20) and shutting the passages (1A, 21A) of the plug (10) and the socket (20) when the plug (10) detached from the socket (20), wherein central axes of the passages (1A, 21A) of the plug (10) and the socket (20) do not form a straight line.