Sealed Engine-Gearbox Coupling for Underwater Drive Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive connections for coupling engines to gearboxes in mining applications are not fluid-tight, leading to potential damage from water and oil ingress, and are not suitable for operation in harsh underwater conditions.
Innovation Solution
A drive connection with a housing that includes sealing members at each coupling interface, ensuring the inner cavity is fluidically sealed when coupled, and a gearbox housing with a pressure sensor to monitor internal pressure and prevent overpressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drive connections are made adaptable to different manufacturer configurations, then versatility is improved, but fluid-tight sealing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements including O-rings, lip seals, and gaskets that can deform to accommodate variations in coupling interface geometry between different manufacturers while maintaining fluid-tight sealing. These flexible membranes conform to the actual mating surfaces despite manufacturing tolerances and configuration differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive connection housing acts as an intermediary component between the engine and gearbox, incorporating sealing members at its coupling interfaces. This intermediate structure provides the adaptability needed to connect different manufacturer configurations while the sealing members embedded in the housing maintain fluid-tight barriers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drive connections are operated in water or oil environments, then operational capability in harsh conditions is improved, but liquid ingress and leakage become critical problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible sealing members including lip seals and O-rings that create reliable fluid barriers at all coupling interfaces. These elastic sealing elements conform to the mating surfaces and maintain sealing under varying pressure and temperature conditions in water and oil environments, preventing liquid ingress and leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members are pre-installed at the coupling interfaces of the drive connection housing to proactively prevent liquid ingress before water or oil can penetrate into the internal components. This preliminary protective measure ensures that harsh environmental conditions do not compromise the internal mechanics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coupling interfaces are designed for variable fixation to accommodate different manufacturers, then adaptability is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements such as O-rings and gaskets that can accommodate variations in coupling interface geometry and fixation methods from different manufacturers. These sealing members deform to fill gaps and conform to actual mating surfaces, maintaining reliable sealing despite differences in manufacturing precision and configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a drive connection for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine and which provides a fluid-tight sealing. Accordingly, a drive connection for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine is suggested, which comprises a housing having an inner cavity that extends from a first open end of the housing to a second open end of the housing and which is configured for accommodating and enclosing a clutch. The housing defines a first coupling interface at the first open end for coupling the drive connection to an engine and a second coupling interface at the second open end for coupling the drive connection to a gearbox, Furthermore, each coupling interface comprises a sealing member, wherein the housing and sealing members are configured to fluidically seal the inner cavity, when the drive connection is in a coupled state.