Pipe Connection Arrangement with Leakage Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements in fuel and hydraulic systems face challenges in reliable sealing during assembly and efficient leak detection, particularly in high-pressure applications, where separate bores for leakage lines and detection screws are mechanically complex and prone to failure, and can interfere with the actual sealing area, making it difficult to achieve a permanent and operationally reliable seal.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement with leakage paths outside the sealing surface and seat, allowing test gas to escape during sniff tests, ensuring reliable leak detection and reducing assembly stresses through angle compensation and strategically placed recesses or grooves in the connecting element and sealing head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If separate bores for leakage lines and detection screws are provided in the connecting element, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the leak detection function from the connecting element by providing leakage paths in the pipeline itself, outside the sealing area. This removes the need for separate bores, detection screws, and leakage lines in the connecting element, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining leak detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak detection function is merged with the pipeline structure by utilizing the pipeline wall as the leakage path carrier. The leakage paths are provided directly in the pipeline outside the sealing area, combining the fluid transport function and leak detection function into a single integrated structure.
2Reliability
If the connecting element is tightened to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but leak detection capability deteriorates due to seal formation outside the sealing area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pipeline structure into a sealing area and a non-sealing area. The leakage paths are specifically located in the non-sealing area outside the sealing area, allowing the connecting element to be tightened for reliable sealing without creating unwanted seals that would block leak detection. The segmentation ensures that tightening forces are localized to the sealing interface while the leakage paths remain open for detection.
3Manufacturing precision
If tightening force is increased to ensure tightness, then sealing quality is improved, but unwanted seals form outside the sealing area preventing leak detection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing leakage paths specifically in the non-sealing area outside the sealing area. This localized feature ensures that high tightening forces required for quality sealing do not create unwanted seals in the leakage path region. The local quality differentiation between the sealing area (requiring tight seal) and non-sealing area (requiring open leakage paths) resolves the contradiction between sealing quality and leak detection.
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 quick and accurate leak detection, reducing test time and identifying assembly or manufacturing errors, while maintaining the sealing integrity between the sealing surface and seat, allowing for early and reliable detection of even small leaks.
Implementation Method 1
Under the influence of the connecting element, which acts at least indirectly on the pressure surface, the sealing head is pressed with the sealing surface in a pressure-tight manner against a sealing seat formed in the connecting piece
Implementation Method 2
One or more leakage paths, which are provided in the area outside the sealing surface and the sealing seat, are characteristic of the connection arrangement according to the invention. The leakage paths allow test gas to escape during sniff tests
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a connecting arrangement for connecting a pipeline (1) to a connection piece (2) of fuel or hydraulic systems, in particular fuel distribution systems. The pipeline (1) can be connected to the connection piece (2) by means of a connecting element (5) in the form of a union nut. A sealing head (10) which has a sealing surface (13) and a pressure surface (14) is provided at the end side of the pipeline (1). The union nut serves to press the sealing head (10) by the sealing surface (13) in a pressure-tight manner against a sealing seat (21) formed in the connection piece (2). Leakage paths (23) are provided at the rear side of the sealing head (10) outside the sealing surface (13) and the sealing seat (21). The leakage paths (23) function as predetermined leakages and ensure that sealing outside the actual sealing region of the connecting arrangement is prevented. As a result, tightness testing by means of sniff tests is more reliable.