Retractable Assembly Immersion Tube Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retractable assemblies in analytical measurement technology face challenges in preventing uncontrolled movement of immersion tubes due to process pressure, especially when the drive fails, posing safety risks and requiring additional lines for safety systems.
Innovation Solution
A retractable assembly with a cylindrical housing and an immersion tube that uses dual inlets for energy supply and mechanical blocking members with spring bias to prevent uncontrolled movement, ensuring the immersion tube remains safely locked in either position without relying on the drive or additional lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manually locking bolts are used to prevent uncontrolled movement of the immersion tube, then safety is improved, but the degree of automation is reduced and improper handling represents a significant safety risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the process pressure itself to activate the blocking member that prevents uncontrolled movement of the immersion tube. When process pressure exceeds a threshold, it automatically shifts the blocking member into the groove to lock the immersion tube, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical locking bolts with an automatic pressure-actuated mechanical blocking system. The blocking member is shifted by process pressure through a shifting element, converting the manual locking mechanism into an automatic pressure-responsive mechanism that maintains both safety and automation.
2Reliability
If a safety system with additional lines/hoses is implemented to block immersion tube movement when drive fails, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member serves multiple functions: it prevents uncontrolled immersion tube movement during drive failure, limits the immersion tube to predefined positions, and activates automatically using existing process pressure without requiring separate safety lines or hoses. This multi-functionality eliminates additional components while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the process pressure and the immersion tube position control. It translates process pressure into positional control without requiring additional control lines, simplifying the system while ensuring safety during drive failures.
3Ease of operation
If the immersion tube is allowed to move freely under process pressure, then ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled movement poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the immersion tube mobility based on process conditions. When process pressure is low, the immersion tube can move freely for easy operation. When process pressure exceeds the threshold, the blocking member automatically engages to prevent uncontrolled movement, balancing ease of operation with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mobility parameter of the immersion tube based on process pressure levels. At normal operating pressure, the immersion tube remains movable. When pressure exceeds the spring bias threshold, the blocking member shifts to change the mobility parameter, preventing uncontrolled movement while maintaining ease of operation under normal conditions.
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 solution effectively prevents uncontrolled movement of the immersion tube, ensuring safety by locking it in position independently of the drive's functionality, reducing the risk of process medium escape and eliminating the need for additional lines.
Implementation Method 1
a first mechanical blocking member shifts essentially radially against a spring bias
Implementation Method 2
the immersion tube is moved from service position to process position by supplying the first inlet with energy
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable assembly, comprising: a housing; an immersion tube, which is axially movable between a service position and a process position. A first inlet facing away from the medium and a second inlet facing the medium. The immersion tube is moved from the service position to the process position by supplying the first inlet with energy, and the immersion tube is moved from the process position to the service position by supplying the second inlet with energy. A first mechanical blocking member shifts against a spring bias, and the blocking member engages in a first groove on the immersion tube. The first groove is located in the movement direction. The spring bias is so embodied that supplying the second inlet with energy releases the blocking member from the groove, whereby movement of the immersion tube from process position to service position becomes possible.