Raintight Compression Connector Sealing Ring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing raintight electrical connectors and couplers face difficulties in maintaining a watertight connection due to sealing surface imperfections and skewed terminating faces of electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or rigid metallic conduit (RMC), especially with larger diameter trade sizes.
Innovation Solution
A raintight compression connector and coupler featuring an improved upper sealing ring design with a stop seal secured against a conduit stop, accommodating diameter tolerance variations and skewed terminating faces, utilizing a thermoplastic material like polyethylene or polypropylene, with specific sloping surfaces and regions to ensure a watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing sealing rings are used, then the connector structure is simple, but the raintight seal fails due to conduit surface imperfections and diameter variations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into three distinct regions: a first region with a first sloping surface for contacting the conduit outer surface, a second region with a second sloping surface for accommodating surface imperfections, and a third region with a third sloping surface for contacting the conduit inner surface. This segmentation allows each region to address specific sealing challenges independently, improving overall seal reliability while managing complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing ring are designed with different sloping angles and surface characteristics tailored to specific functions. The first region has a steeper slope for initial contact and positioning, the second region has a gentler slope for accommodating imperfections, and the third region has a specific slope for inner surface sealing. This local quality differentiation enables the sealing ring to adapt to various conduit conditions at different locations along its circumference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single sealing surface is used, then the connector design is simple, but it cannot accommodate skewed terminating faces and surface imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring incorporates multiple sloping surfaces that can dynamically adapt to different conduit conditions. When the conduit is inserted, the sealing ring deforms elastically to conform to the actual conduit geometry, allowing the different sloping regions to engage at different positions and angles. This dynamic adaptation enables the sealing ring to accommodate skewed terminating faces, out-of-round conditions, and surface imperfections that would fail with a rigid single-surface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring design changes the geometric parameters of the sealing surfaces by incorporating multiple sloping angles and regions. The first sloping surface has a different angle than the second and third sloping surfaces, creating a gradient of contact angles that can adapt to various conduit orientations and imperfections. This parameter variation allows the sealing ring to maintain effective sealing contact under diverse installation conditions.
3Productivity
If larger diameter conduits are used, then the electrical application capability is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to surface imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring transitions from a simple circular cross-section to a three-dimensional form with multiple sloping surfaces extending at different angles. This dimensional complexity allows the sealing ring to engage the conduit at multiple points and angles simultaneously, creating a more robust seal that can accommodate the increased surface imperfections and tolerance variations inherent in larger diameter conduits while maintaining sealing performance.
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
The improved design effectively maintains a raintight seal across various conduit sizes, including larger diameters, by accommodating surface imperfections and skewed faces, meeting stringent water-tightness tests like UL514 RT, ensuring reliable performance in outdoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
a stop seal positioned in the bore of first portion against a shoulder formed in the first portion at the second end thereof, the stop seal dimensioned to contact a terminating face of the conduit so as to pliably deform around the conduit terminating face so as to form a watertight seal
Implementation Method 2
an upper sealing ring dimensioned for contact with the first portion of the connector body so as to make sealing contact with the conduit when the conduit is inserted into the first portion
Implementation Method 3
a gland ring dimensioned for contact with the gland nut so as to secure the gland nut and the first portion of the connector body to the conduit when the conduit is inserted into the first portion
Data Source
AI summary
A raintight compression connector has a connector body with first and second portions and a bore extending therethrough for connection to a conduit. An upper sealing ring is dimensioned to contact the connector body to make sealing contact with a conduit. The upper sealing ring has first, second and third regions. The first region has a first sloping surface to contact a recess shoulder in the connector body and the third region has a third sloping surface to contact an inner surface of the connector body. Specific slopes for these sloping surfaces are disclosed. The upper sealing ring can also be used in a raintight compression coupler.