Compression-Sealed Penetration Fitting for Hydrocarbon-Resistant Sumps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional penetration fittings for underground storage tank fueling sites have components that degrade quickly due to harsh environments and require excavation and adhesives, leading to messy and time-consuming installations with uncertain seal quality.

Innovation Solution

A penetration fitting assembly comprising a pipe gasket, inner and outer ring assemblies, and a clamp that compresses gaskets to form a liquid-tight seal without adhesives, using a design that shields components from hydrocarbons and allows for easy installation without excavation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional penetration fittings with gaskets and boots are used, then sealing function is provided, but components degrade quickly due to low chemical resistance in harsh sump environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidchemical degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The penetration fitting uses a composite structure combining chemically resistant materials (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) for the main body with flexible sealing materials (such as rubber or elastomer gaskets). This composite approach allows the structural components to resist chemical degradation from hydrocarbons while the sealing components provide the necessary leak prevention, resolving the contradiction between durability and sealing effectiveness in harsh chemical environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional penetration fittings are replaced, then seal functionality is restored, but excavation of backfill area is required which is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal functionalityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The penetration fitting is designed as a segmented, modular assembly with separate components (body, gaskets, boots, sealing elements) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows technicians to access and replace only the degraded sealing components without removing the entire fitting or excavating backfill, significantly reducing installation time while restoring seal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing components (gaskets, boots, seals) are designed as extractable elements that can be removed and replaced independently from the main fitting body. This extraction capability enables maintenance personnel to access and replace worn sealing elements through small openings without extensive excavation, resolving the contradiction between restoring seal functionality and minimizing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If adhesives are used for installation, then sealing is achieved, but application is messy, cumbersome, and time-consuming with uncertain cure quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal qualityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design replaces chemical adhesive bonding with mechanical compression sealing systems. Compression gaskets and elastomeric seals are mechanically compressed between the fitting body and the sump wall or pipe surface to create the seal, eliminating the need for adhesives. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing consistent, predictable seal quality through controlled mechanical compression while greatly simplifying the installation process to be clean and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides durable, liquid-tight seals around pipes and containment sumps without adhesives, reducing installation time and ensuring consistent seal quality, while protecting components from environmental degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the clamp compresses the ring gasket assembly between the inner ring assembly and the outer ring assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the outer ring assembly compresses the wall gasket against the wall of the sump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

the clamp compresses the pipe gasket against the pipe or conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11680663B2Penetration fitting having compression seals and methods of installing and using the same

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 S BRAVO SYST

AI summary

A penetration fitting assembly includes a pipe gasket having an annular portion defining a central opening and first and second stem portions extending in opposite directions from the annular portion, an inner ring assembly configured to surround the pipe gasket and including first and second inner ring halves, a ring gasket assembly configured to surround the inner ring assembly and including first and second ring gasket halves, a wall gasket, an outer ring assembly configured to surround the ring gasket assembly and including first and second outer ring halves, and a clamp configured to surround the outer ring assembly. When the penetration fitting assembly is installed, the outer ring assembly compresses the wall gasket against the wall of the sump, the clamp compresses the ring gasket assembly between the inner ring assembly and the outer ring assembly, and the clamp compresses the pipe gasket against the pipe or conduit.