Preloader Sealing Member Relocation for Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preloader designs suffer from pressure loss of high-pressure gas due to leakage, leading to inefficiency and the need for larger housing sizes to accommodate sealing members, which results in upscaling of the preloader.
Innovation Solution
A preloader design that incorporates a sealing member accommodated in a sealing member accommodation portion, which is positioned at an intermediate portion of the connecting member passage, preventing gas leakage between the connecting member and gas passages without enlarging the gas passage, thus allowing for downsizing of the preloader main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection seal member is provided in the high-pressure gas injection path to prevent gas leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but the gas passage becomes enlarged leading to upsizing of the preloader
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is relocated from the gas passage to a dedicated sealing member accommodation portion formed in the connecting member passage. This spatial relocation separates the sealing function from the gas flow path, allowing the gas passage to maintain its original small diameter while the sealing member is accommodated in a separate cavity, thus preventing preloader upsizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The preloader structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the gas passage for high-pressure gas flow, the connecting member passage for wire/rod passage, and the sealing member accommodation portion for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the sealing member positioned in its own dedicated space rather than occupying the gas passage.
2Loss of energy
If the sealing member is positioned adjacent to the gas passage to prevent leakage, then gas pressure loss is reduced, but the gas passage must be enlarged to accommodate the sealing member
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is positioned in a sealing member accommodation portion that is spatially separated from the gas passage. The accommodation portion is formed in the connecting member passage at an intermediate position, allowing the sealing member to seal the gap between the connecting member and gas passage without occupying space within the gas passage itself, thus maintaining small gas passage dimensions while preventing pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element positioned in the accommodation portion to seal the interface between the connecting member and gas passage. This intermediary positioning allows effective sealing without requiring the gas passage to be enlarged, as the sealing member is accommodated in a separate dedicated space rather than within the gas flow path.
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 design effectively suppresses pressure loss and allows for the downsizing of the preloader, maintaining high sealing performance and efficient operation by preventing unnecessary movement of the sealing member and gas leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generating unit, attached to the other end of the gas passage, that generates gas by being activated to send the generated gas into the gas passage
Implementation Method 2
a sealing member that is accommodated in a sealing member accommodation portion formed in the preloader main body at an intermediate portion of the connecting member passage, the sealing member sealing a portion between the one end of the connecting member passage and the other end of the connecting member passage
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a preloader (10) capable of effectively suppress pressure loss of gas for driving a piston (14) and suppressing upsizing of a gas passage (62) therefor. The preloader (10) has a protection wall (66) and a wire protection tube (72) formed in the gas passage (62), and a packing (80) is provided in the midpoint of the wire passage (70) but not in the gas passage (62). Hence, there is no need to upsize the gas passage (62) and/or a base cartridge while capable of forming the protection wall (66) and wire protection tube (72) in the gas passage (62).