Preassembled Band Seal with Captured Spring-Loaded Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of large band clamps in extreme environmental conditions is hindered by the difficulty of maintaining seals during handling and installation, leading to increased costs, waste, and labor time due to the lack of a secure and efficient method for preassembling bands and seals.
Innovation Solution
A preassembled band with a captured seal, where the band is preformed into a spring-loaded loop to retain the seal, allowing for efficient packaging, shipping, and easy assembly in the field, with a capture element to prevent accidental disassembly and facilitate crimping by positioning the seal optimally for the crimping tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is manually bent and loaded on the band at the installation site, then the seal can be positioned on the band, but the seal may easily fall off during handling or installation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is preassembled on the band at the factory before shipping, rather than being assembled at the installation site. This preliminary action ensures the seal is properly positioned and secured before the band is used in the field, eliminating the risk of the seal falling off during handling or installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is captured within the band structure itself, with the band forming a loop that holds the seal in place. This nested configuration ensures the seal cannot accidentally disengage from the band during handling or installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom lengths of banding material are cut on location, then the band can be sized for the specific application, but material waste and sharp edges are created
Solution Approach 1:
The banding material is cut to predetermined lengths at the factory before assembly, rather than being cut on location. This preliminary action eliminates material waste from improper cutting and removes sharp edges before the band is used in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The band is provided in predetermined lengths and configurations that can be selected to match specific application requirements. This standardization of parameters (lengths, configurations) reduces material waste while maintaining adaptability to different applications.
3Reliability
If the band and seal are preassembled in a limited fashion with a bent end, then the seal will not fall off the bent end, but the seal is not completely captured and may easily fall off the other end
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is completely captured within the band structure, with the band forming a closed loop that fully contains the seal. This nested configuration provides complete retention without requiring complex additional components or assembly structures.
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 reduces installation time, minimizes waste, and ensures the seal remains securely attached during handling and installation, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the banding process in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member, such as a spring, that biases the seal away from the preformed end of the band
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~10B
AI summary
A pre-cut and preformed free end band and seal of a predetermined length, and method of making and using the same is disclosed. The band is preformed with a substantially closed loop of band material to capture a seal to provide a preassembled band and seal wherein the seal is generally inhibited from being dislodged during packing, shipment, handling and installation. The band and seal are also formed in a manner to facilitate relative positioning of the band and seal as well as placement of a crimping tool relative to the band and seal for optimized crimping of the band and seal.