Segmented Clamp Connection for Exhaust Gas Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp connections in exhaust gas cleaning devices face issues with manufacturing tolerances leading to asymmetric loads on seals, causing leaks and reducing service life, which can result in pollutant emissions and thermal stress.
Innovation Solution
A clamp connection design featuring radially outward annular collars with separate annular bodies that are interrupted in the circumferential direction, allowing for narrow tolerances and symmetrical loading of the sealing ring, along with a protective ring to enhance durability and sealing effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamp connections with continuous annular collars are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but manufacturing tolerances cause asymmetric loads on seals leading to leaks and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous annular collar is segmented into interrupted annular collars with gaps, allowing each segment to independently accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining symmetrical load distribution on the sealing ring, thereby improving sealing reliability without requiring high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The annular bodies are designed with localized interruption patterns that create specific gap positions, allowing the sealing ring to be loaded symmetrically at critical sealing zones while the interrupted structure compensates for tolerances in non-critical areas
2Reliability
If narrow tolerances are maintained through multiple separate parts, then sealing reliability improves, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp connection is segmented into modular components (first annular body, second annular body, sealing ring, clamp) that can be manufactured with narrow tolerances independently and then assembled, achieving high reliability without requiring the entire assembly to be manufactured as a single complex part
Solution Approach 2:
The interrupted annular collars serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, accommodate manufacturing tolerances, enable symmetrical load distribution, and facilitate assembly/disassembly, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized components
3Ease of manufacture
If asymmetric loads occur on seals due to manufacturing tolerances, then assembly is easier with conventional clamps, but seal service life decreases and leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupted annular collars are deliberately designed with asymmetric gap positions that compensate for expected manufacturing tolerances, transforming the asymmetric tolerance problem into a controlled asymmetric structure that actually produces symmetric load distribution on the sealing ring during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The interrupted structure of the annular collars provides built-in compliance that cushions against asymmetric loads before they can damage the sealing ring, allowing easier assembly while protecting seal service life through pre-designed tolerance compensation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device (2) has an exhaust gas cleaning element (7) arranged in a tubular body (3), and a sealing ring (10) provided axially in contact with ring collars (8, 9) of a clamp connection (5). Two ring bodies (11, 12) are arranged at the tubular body and axially in contact with one of the ring collars. A clamp (13) is extended over the ring bodies and operated on the ring bodies for tightening the ring bodies axially towards each other. The tubular body is detachably connected to another tubular body (4) via the clamp connection.