Rotatable Flange Collar Structure for Hermetic Flange Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flange connection methods require precise alignment of bolt holes, leading to unstable connections if machining accuracy is low, making them cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A nut type rotatable flange structure that includes a collar with connecting threads, annular protuberances, and jack bolts, allowing for precise alignment and hermetic sealing without the need for precise bolt hole alignment, using a combination tool with a handle and positioning portion for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flange connection method with bolt hole alignment is used, then connection stability can be achieved, but alignment accuracy requirements are high and operation is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection system into modular components: a positioning device with positioning holes, a first flange with positioning protrusions, and a second flange with bolt holes. The positioning device is separated from the flanges themselves, allowing independent positioning function. This segmentation enables the positioning protrusions to guide alignment while the bolt holes provide secure fastening, resolving the contradiction between easy alignment and stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device acts as an intermediary component between the two flanges. It provides positioning holes that receive positioning protrusions from the first flange, creating a mediating alignment mechanism. This intermediary structure facilitates accurate alignment without requiring direct bolt hole alignment between flanges, improving operational ease while maintaining connection stability.
2Ease of operation
If bolt hole alignment accuracy is reduced, then operation becomes easier, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning protrusions perform preliminary alignment action before the bolts are installed. The positioning protrusions fit into the positioning holes to establish correct flange alignment, and then the bolts are secured through the bolt holes. This preliminary positioning action ensures connection stability is achieved through proper alignment, while the operation remains easy because the alignment is automatically guided by the positioning structures.
3Reliability
If precise bolt hole alignment is required, then connection stability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is extracted from the flange bodies themselves and implemented through separate positioning structures. The positioning device with positioning holes and the positioning protrusions on the flanges are distinct from the main flange structure and bolt holes. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity by providing dedicated positioning elements rather than requiring complex integrated alignment features in the flanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device serves multiple functions: it provides positioning holes for alignment, supports the flanges during connection, and can be reused for multiple connections. The positioning protrusions simultaneously guide alignment and locate the flange position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment tools and procedures, decreasing device complexity while maintaining connection stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a nut type rotatable flange structure and a combination tool. Flanges of a first neck flange and a second neck flange are both arranged in a nut type rotatable flange collar, one of the flanges is secured by using a thread, and the other flange is secured by using jack bolts, so that the flanges of the first neck flange and the second neck flange are hermetically and stably fixed, instead of a method of aligning bolt holes in a flange with bolt holes in another flange and then screwing in bolts to achieve connection. In general, the nut type rotatable flange structure and the combination tool can achieve a hermetical connection between the flanges, with no need to use a conventional method of aligning a plurality of bolt holes to a plurality of bolt holes in flanges, which requires less mounting accuracy and improves operation convenience.