Sealing Plug With Internal Fluid Cavity For High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing plugs for holes in walls, particularly in concrete structures like dams, face challenges in maintaining a high closing force against fluid pressure, which can lead to water seepage due to inadequate sealing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A sealing plug design featuring an elastic body and a stem assembled coaxially, with an empty space between the elastic body and the stem, allowing fluid pressure to increase the closing force by applying pressure against the hole, and incorporating stop washers and a rivet sleeve for enhanced radial expansion and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional sealing plug with elastic body and stem is used to close holes in concrete walls, then the plug can be installed by pulling the stem to expand the elastic body radially, but the closing force applied by the plug is insufficient to withstand high fluid pressure, leading to water seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cavity inside the elastic body that can be filled with fluid (water or compressed air). This fluid pressure acts directly on the elastic body from the interior, causing it to expand radially and apply additional closing force against the hole. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism significantly enhances the sealing capability by utilizing the fluid pressure itself to strengthen the seal, rather than relying solely on the mechanical expansion from stem pull.
2Force
If the elastic body is made larger to increase closing force, then the sealing capability improves, but the complexity of the plug structure and installation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places a cavity inside the elastic body, creating a nested structure where the cavity is contained within the wall thickness of the elastic body. This nested design allows the fluid pressure to act internally without requiring the elastic body to be substantially larger in external dimensions. The closing force is enhanced through the internal pressure mechanism rather than through increased size, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while improving sealing capability.
3Reliability
If additional sealing materials or specialized installation procedures are used to improve sealing, then the reliability of the seal improves, but the ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the plug to utilize the fluid pressure from the wall itself (water pressure or compressed air pressure) to enhance its own sealing capability. The fluid pressure that would otherwise be a challenge to contain is instead harnessed to expand the elastic body and improve the seal. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional sealing materials or specialized installation procedures, as the plug automatically strengthens its seal in response to the fluid pressure it is meant to contain.
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 plug effectively increases the sealing force to withstand fluid pressure, ensuring reliable and economical sealing of holes in walls, especially in high-pressure applications like dams, without requiring additional sealing materials or specialized skills.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body and a stem assembled coaxially with respect to one another. The elastic body is suitable for being expanded radially by pulling on the free end of the stem
Implementation Method 2
the entrance of fluid into the elastic body is allowed so that said fluid applies pressure against the elastic body, thereby increasing the closing pressure applied by the elastic body against the hole
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Sealing plug (1) comprising an elastic body (2) and a stem (3) assembled coaxially with respect to one another. The elastic body (2) is suitable for being expanded radially by pulling on the free end (3a) of the stem (3), which projects out of said elastic body (2), once it is inserted into the hole to be plugged, said elastic body (2) applying a closing pressure against said hole. The sealing plug (1) also comprises an empty space (5), arranged between the elastic body (2) and the stem (3), which is communicated with the outside, such that the entrance of fluid into the elastic body (2) is allowed so that said fluid applies pressure against the elastic body (2), thereby increasing the closing pressure applied by the elastic body (2) against the hole.