Sealing Plug with Corrosion-Resistant Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing plugs made of soft materials like aluminum for radial expansion and axial deformation are susceptible to attack from certain fluids, such as acids and bio-fuels, and erosion via cavitation or abrasion, limiting the range of fluids that can be contained in sealed containers.
Innovation Solution
A sealing plug design featuring a radially expandable aluminum shell with a stainless steel stem and cap, where the stem and cap are connected by a breakneck and an annular ridge, allowing for secure locking and resistance to corrosion, with a hydro-pneumatic installation tool ensuring effective sealing and locking without protruding beyond the container wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plug body is made of soft material like aluminum to enable radial expansion and axial deformation, then the plug can be securely installed and sealed in the hole, but the plug becomes susceptible to corrosion from aggressive fluids and erosion from cavitation or abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite structure consisting of a soft radially expandable body made of ductile material (such as aluminum) for secure installation, and a separate hard protective cap made of corrosion-resistant material (such as stainless steel or titanium) that covers the body. This composite design allows the plug to simultaneously achieve easy installation through radial expansion while protecting the soft body from harmful fluids and erosion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the plug body is made of corrosion-resistant material like stainless steel, then the plug can withstand aggressive fluids and erosion, but the plug loses the ability to radially expand and axially deform for secure installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where a hard corrosion-resistant cap made of material like stainless steel or titanium protects the soft expandable body. The cap is designed to be radially expandable along with the body, allowing the combination to achieve both corrosion resistance and secure installation through radial expansion and axial deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the plug: the body is made of soft ductile material for expandability and sealing, while the cap is made of hard corrosion-resistant material for protection. This local differentiation of material quality allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified sealing system.
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 provides enhanced resistance to corrosion and erosion, allowing the sealing plug to securely contain a wider range of fluids, including aggressive ones, while maintaining a secure and leak-proof seal, even in non-cylindrical holes, and is suitable for high-temperature applications like food-processing and medical uses.
Implementation Method 1
a radially expandable body provided by a cylindrical shell (13). This shell is radially expandable by means of access to only the upper end of the shell
Implementation Method 2
The protruding part is provided with circumferential ridges and grooves (16) by means of which the stem can be engaged by the jaws (34) of an installation tool
Data Source
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Figure 6
AI summary
A sealing plug (13) for sealing a hole (11) in a wall, which sealing plug (13) is insertable into the hole (11) by access from only one side thereof, which sealing plug (13) comprises: a radially expandable body which is radially expandable by access thereto from only one end thereof, and a sealing cap (24) which covers the other end of the expandable body and extends therefrom along the exterior of the length of the body, the sealing cap (24) being of a material which is fluid resistant; whereby, when the sealing plug (13) has been inserted in the hole (11) and has been radially expanded so that at least part of the sealing cap (24) adjacent the wall of the hole expands and engages therewith, the sealing cap (24) is secured in the hole (11) with the sealing cap (24) sealing the plug body against access thereto from outside the cap (24).