Ball and Sleeve Plunger Latch Retaining Ring Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ball and sleeve bypass plungers with two standard retaining rings weaken the sleeve wall due to deep grooves, leading to premature failure under impact forces, which affects the plunger's operational reliability and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A single retaining ring with a cross-sectional aspect ratio less than 1 is used in a groove that extends less than one-third of the sleeve wall thickness, providing increased durability and flexibility, allowing for effective latching without compromising the sleeve's structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two standard retaining rings are used in a deep groove, then the latching function is improved, but the sleeve wall strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching functionVSAvoidsleeve wall strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is segmented into two functional zones: an upper shallow portion (depth ≤ 1/3 wall thickness) that preserves structural integrity, and a lower deeper portion that provides effective latching. This segmentation allows the groove to serve dual purposes without compromising overall strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining ring geometry is changed from a standard radial cross-section (where radial dimension > axial dimension) to an optimized cross-section (where radial dimension < axial dimension). This dimensional change allows the ring to provide adequate latching force while requiring less groove depth, thereby preserving wall strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the groove depth is increased to improve latching, then the latching reliability is improved, but the sleeve becomes more susceptible to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching reliabilityVSAvoidimpact force susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The groove depth is deliberately limited to ≤ 1/3 of the wall thickness beforehand, creating a design that inherently resists impact forces. This preventive approach ensures that even under high impact conditions, the sleeve maintains sufficient structural integrity and does not fail prematurely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Force

If standard retaining rings with radial dimension greater than axial dimension are used, then the latching force is improved, but the groove depth must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching forceVSAvoidgroove depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining ring's cross-sectional parameters are fundamentally changed: the aspect ratio is inverted so that the axial dimension exceeds the radial dimension (opposite of standard rings). This parameter change allows the ring to generate sufficient latching force through its geometry and material properties while minimizing the required groove depth to ≤ 1/3 wall thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9957784B1Latch for a ball and sleeve plunger

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

An improved latch structure for a two piece ball and sleeve bypass plunger comprises a single retaining ring installed in a groove formed in the inside diameter of the sleeve portion of the bypass plunger. The cross section profiles of the groove and the associated retaining ring are smaller in the radial direction. The depth of the groove in the sleeve is substantially reduced to provide increased wall thickness and robustness of the sleeve along the diameter of the sleeve, thereby extending the useful life of the bypass plunger.