Flanged Pressure Sleeve for Flexible Hose Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for coupling flexible fluid lines are ineffective due to their tendency to deflect or deform under pressure, temperature, and vibration changes, leading to loose connections in systems like aircraft fuel systems.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sleeve with a flange is used to engage the edges of flexible hoses and a union, counteracting deflection by being inserted partially within the hoses and secured with fittings, ensuring a stable flow path and preventing loose connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling methods are used for flexible fluid lines, then the coupling process is simple, but the connection becomes loose under pressure, temperature, and vibration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sleeve is inserted inside the flexible fluid line, creating a nested structure where the sleeve is contained within the hose. This internal positioning allows the sleeve to reinforce the hose wall and maintain connection integrity without adding external coupling components, thus improving reliability while minimizing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the flexible fluid line and the coupling mechanism. It provides a rigid internal support structure that mediates the interaction between the flexible hose and external coupling forces, preventing hose collapse and maintaining stable connections under varying pressure and vibration conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If the flexible fluid line is made more rigid to prevent deflection, then connection stability improves, but the flexibility and adaptability of the line is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sleeve provides localized rigidity only at the coupling region where connection stability is critical. The rest of the flexible fluid line maintains its original flexibility and adaptability. This localized reinforcement allows the hose to be stable where needed while remaining flexible elsewhere, resolving the contradiction between position stability and adaptability
3Reliability
If a larger flange is used to engage the hose edge, then the counteraction of deflection improves, but the insertion difficulty and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed with a radial length that is substantial enough to effectively engage the hose edge and counteract deflection forces, but not excessively large to create insertion difficulties. The partial engagement approach provides sufficient mechanical advantage for stabilizing the hose while maintaining ease of installation through the hose assembly process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a sleeve. The sleeve has an outer surface and a flange extending from the outer surface. The flange has a first surface for engaging an edge of first flexible hose and a second surface for engaging a union. The first surface of the flange has a radial length substantially equal to a thickness of the edge of the first flexible hose. The sleeve counteracts a deflection of the first flexible hose and the second flexible hose into a flow path created through the first flexible hose and the second flexible hose when the first flexible hose and the second flexible hose are coupled together using the union, the sleeve, and a pair of fittings.