Rigid Conduit Assembly With Sliding Seal for Tight-Space Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid conduit assemblies face challenges in complex, space-constrained environments like gas turbine engines, where they require manipulative positioning advantages, robustness, reduced parts, lower costs, and ease of assembly and maintenance, often necessitating the use of less desirable flexible assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A rigid conduit assembly with a manipulative adaptor featuring a detachable adapter, conduit, and sealing and indexing interfaces, allowing for axial and rotational manipulation without braided tubing, facilitating ease of assembly and maintenance in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid conduit assembly is used, then robustness and structural integrity are improved, but manipulative positioning flexibility deteriorates in complex, space-constrained environments
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid conduit assembly is divided into multiple sections with adjustable couplings that allow relative movement between segments. This enables the conduit to be manipulated and positioned in complex spaces while maintaining rigid construction and structural integrity throughout the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities allowing the rigid conduit sections to be repositioned, rotated, or angled during installation and maintenance. This provides manipulative flexibility similar to flexible assemblies while retaining the robustness of rigid construction.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible conduit assembly is used, then manipulative positioning flexibility is improved, but robustness and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a completely flexible conduit, the invention segments the rigid conduit into adjustable sections. Each segment maintains rigid construction for robustness, while the coupling between segments provides the necessary flexibility for positioning in complex spaces.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid conduit assembly with adjustable coupling is used, then manipulative positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural connection between rigid sections, enables angular adjustment, allows axial movement, and maintains sealing. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall assembly process despite the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable coupling is designed as a universal connector that can accommodate various positioning requirements through its multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment capabilities. This single component handles multiple positioning tasks that would otherwise require different specialized connectors, reducing overall device complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional rigid conduit assembly methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but assembly and maintenance difficulty increases in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit assembly is segmented into modular sections with standardized adjustable couplings. This modularity allows sections to be pre-assembled and tested separately, then easily connected in confined spaces during installation or maintenance without requiring complex field adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable coupling maintains dynamic positioning capabilities throughout the conduit's service life, enabling maintenance personnel to reposition sections as needed during repairs or modifications, even in previously difficult-to-access locations.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A conduit assembly 56 and method of utilizing the assembly 56 generally extends along a centerline 76 for detachable engagement to a component 60 in an axial direction. The assembly 56 may include a body 72 having an internal, cylindrical, surface 90 with a first surface portion 94 located axially adjacent to a second surface portion 96. The first portion 94 is circumferentially continuous and the second portion 96 extends circumferentially by about 180 degrees or less. A saddle 74 is axially aligned to the second portion 96 and detachably connects to the body 72. The saddle 74 extends circumferentially by about 180 degrees or more. A conduit 66 is received in the body 72 and rigidly secured to the body 72 via the saddle 66. A circumferentially continuous sealing interface 70 is carried between the first portion 94 and the conduit 66, and is constructed and arranged to slide axially with respect to the first portion 94 and the conduit 66.