Flexible Sealing Coupling With Torque Compensation for Duct Tightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid distribution duct coupling systems suffer from deformation and loss of tightness due to fluid pressure, causing the sealing screws to deviate and lose their position, leading to defects in the coupling.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of circumferential compensation means, including additional screws and transversal joining shafts with elastic rings, to counteract the deformation caused by fluid pressure, ensuring the sealing screws return to their original position and maintain optimal coupling functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid closure assembly is used to ensure structural stability, then the coupling maintains its shape, but the sealing screw deviates under fluid pressure causing loss of tightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure assembly transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape. The flexible closure body is designed to deform elastically under fluid pressure, allowing the sealing screw to maintain its sealing position while the overall structure remains stable through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the closure assembly are changed to provide flexibility. The closure body is made from flexible material that can undergo elastic deformation, changing its physical state from rigid to compliant, allowing it to absorb pressure-induced stresses without causing screw deviation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional compensation means are added to counteract torque, then the sealing screw position is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing screw position stabilityVSAvoidclosure assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation function is merged into the closure body itself rather than being a separate mechanism. The flexible closure body inherently provides torque compensation through its elastic deformation characteristics, combining the sealing function and the compensation function into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible closure assembly serves itself by automatically compensating for torque effects through its inherent flexibility. When fluid pressure causes the sealing screw to experience torque, the flexible closure body deforms to counteract this torque, maintaining screw position without requiring external compensation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 flexible closure assembly effectively prevents excessive deformation and maintains the integrity of the sealing coupling, ensuring optimal operation and tightness by compensating for the torque induced by fluid pressure.

Implementation Method 1

circumferential means for compensation of the torque that the pressure of the fluid can cause on the screw joining the respective members... providing an elastic closure system that avoids an excessive and unrecoverable deformation of the closure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4001723B1Sealing coupling for connecting distribution ducts
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 UNIONES APROL SA
  • EP4001723B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Flexible seal for sealing distribution ducts that comprises at least an external seal body (5) formed by an open rim and the ends of which define the seal (1) that provides, in the position of use, the immobility of the assembly on the pipes to be sealed , the said seal (1) comprising respective protruding members (7) joined jointly and respectively to each of the ends of the external body (5) of the device (2) , that are provided with one or several main through holes (8), arranged so that they are facing each those of the other member (7) and between which at least one sealing screw (9) and a cross sealing axis (10) are inserted and circumferential compensation means (11) determined by the existence of one or more additional screws (111) that are incorporated inserted between one or more additional holes (112) pierced to that effect in an additional portion of the upper part of each of the protruding members (7) of the seal (1), so that they are located above and externally to the sealing screws (9) , that means, furthest from the center of the circumference that the different layers the sealing device (2) comprises define.