Quick-Connect Fitting Radial Expansion Sealing Pipe Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick-connect fittings often damage the surface of pipes or conduits due to clamping mechanisms, necessitating a solution that ensures easy connection and disconnection while maintaining sealing integrity without surface damage.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect fitting featuring an elongate mandrel with resilient bushings that radially expand to seal the inner surface of a pipe or conduit, utilizing pressurized fluid to axially compress the bushings for secure engagement, eliminating the need for clamping devices that can damage the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping devices are used to secure the fitting to the pipe, then the fitting can be retained within the inlet, but the surface of the pipe or conduit is damaged or marred
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient bushing acts as an intermediary element between the mandrel and the pipe inner surface. The bushing deforms elastically to create a seal without directly transmitting damaging clamping forces to the pipe surface, thus maintaining sealing integrity while preventing surface damage
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient bushing changes its physical state from a compressed condition during insertion to an expanded condition during sealing. This parameter change allows the bushing to adapt its dimensions to seal against the pipe inner surface without causing damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fitting uses a simple insertion design without clamping devices, then the pipe surface is not damaged, but the fitting may not be securely retained within the inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bushing transitions from a static insertion state to a dynamic sealing state through fluid pressure. The bushing dynamically adjusts its radial expansion to maintain secure retention while preserving the pipe surface
Solution Approach 2:
Pressurized fluid is used to actuate the resilient bushing, causing it to radially expand and secure the fitting within the inlet. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides secure retention without mechanical clamping that could damage the surface
3Reliability
If the resilient bushing is designed to radially expand for sealing, then effective sealing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bushing functions as a flexible shell that radially expands to create an effective seal. This flexible component achieves reliable sealing with a relatively simple structure compared to rigid multi-component sealing 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
Enables quick and secure connection to pipes or conduits without surface damage, ensuring effective sealing for fluid supply and leak testing, with easy disconnection and reconnection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient bushing on the mandrel. The fitting has a first condition wherein the resilient bushing and at least a portion of the mandrel can be inserted within the inlet, and a second condition wherein the resilient bushing radially expands to sealingly engage the inner surface of the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The piston is actuated by a pressurized fluid to move the housing in a direction toward the stop
Implementation Method 3
In one embodiment, the piston is actuated by a pressurized fluid to move the housing in a direction toward the stop
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for sealing against the inner surface of an inlet includes an elongate mandrel and one or more resilient bushings supported on the mandrel. The fitting has a first condition wherein the resilient bushing can be received within the inlet. The fitting can be actuated to a second condition the resilient bushing expands radially to sealingly engage the inner surface of the inlet. When the inlet is sealingly engaged by the resilient bushing in the second condition, fluid may be admitted to the inlet through an axial bore in the mandrel. When the fitting is used to fill a pipe system, fluid supplied to the inlet may be pressurized to facilitate monitoring the pipe system for leaks. The fitting may include a sealing member configured to seal against a terminal end of the inlet when the bushing is radially expanded to seal against the inner surface of the inlet in the second condition.