Pipe Coupling Structure With Variable-Diameter Flow and Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe couplers in fluid transportation systems suffer from reduced fluid flow volume and pressure due to a narrow cross-sectional area, leading to potential leakage and structural issues when disconnected, compromising safety and system stability.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling structure with a first coupler featuring a curved inner wall surface and variable diameter shaft moving space, and a second coupler with a movable valve, ensuring equal cross-sectional areas for smooth fluid flow and enhanced sealing, even when displaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a narrow cross-sectional area is used in the male main body, then the coupler structure is compact and easier to manufacture, but the fluid flow volume is reduced and internal fluid pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The male main body is designed with a curved inner wall surface instead of a straight cylindrical shape. This curvature creates a gradually expanding passage that increases the cross-sectional area for fluid flow while maintaining a compact external structure, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and fluid flow volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional view to a three-dimensional curved path. The fluid flows along a curved trajectory within the male main body, effectively increasing the flow path area and volume without proportionally increasing the external dimensions of the coupler.
2Device complexity
If a narrow cross-sectional area is used in the male main body, then the coupler structure is simpler, but the internal fluid pressure increases causing potential bending or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The curved inner wall surface distributes the fluid flow along a gradual curve rather than a straight narrow path. This curvature reduces turbulence and pressure buildup, lowering internal fluid pressure while maintaining structural simplicity in the overall coupler design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the male main body by introducing curvature and varying cross-sectional area along the flow path. This parameter optimization allows the structure to handle higher fluid volumes at lower pressures without increasing overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the male and female main bodies are disconnected, then system maintenance and repair are enabled, but fluid leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is pre-positioned within the male main body, ready to automatically close and seal the fluid passage when the coupler is disconnected. This preliminary positioning ensures that no fluid leakage occurs during the disconnection process or when the coupler is in the open state.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve automatically responds to the connection state of the coupler. When disconnected, the valve self-closes to prevent leakage; when connected, it self-opens to allow fluid flow. This self-service mechanism maintains reliability without requiring external control systems.
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
Ensures leak-proof and reliable fluid flow with maintained pressure and speed, preventing structural damage and leakage, thereby enhancing system safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first shaft moving space with a variable diameter gradually increased from the through hole to form a curved inner wall surface in the first shell
Implementation Method 2
a movable valve, the second shaft corresponding closing the second through hole on the movable valve
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling structure for fluid includes a first and a second coupler connected end-to-end. The first coupler internally defines a shaft moving space having a diameter gradually increased axially inward from a through hole thereof, which is elastically closed by a first shaft supporting base. The second coupler internally defines a valve moving space for receiving a movable valve, which has a second through hole elastically closed by a second shaft head section. When the first coupler is pushed against the movable valve, the second shaft head section is projected forward from the through hole on the movable valve to pushes the first shaft supporting base backward to open the shaft moving space, so that the first and second couplers are internally fluidly communicable with each other. Since the shaft moving space has a gradually increased diameter, a fluid can flow therethrough at the same flowing speed.