Self-Sealing End Fitting With Metal Seals for Fire-Safe Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings in high-pressure and potentially hazardous environments, such as in the aerospace industry, face challenges with fluid leakage during disconnection and fail to meet stringent fire protection standards due to the degradation of elastomeric seals under heat exposure.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing end fitting design that incorporates a valve with a resilient biasing member and metal-to-metal seals, which forms a secure seal upon disconnection and remains effective during fire conditions by using titanium, aluminum, or steel components and elastomeric seals for dynamic sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric seals are used to seal potential leak paths, then sealing effectiveness is improved under normal conditions, but the seals fail during fire due to heat conduction from surrounding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two independent segments: elastomeric seals for dynamic sealing under normal conditions and metal-to-metal seals for high-temperature fire protection. This segmentation allows each seal type to perform its specialized function without interference, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and heat resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling integrates two different sealing materials (elastomer and metal) to create a composite sealing system. The elastomeric seal provides flexible sealing for movement, while the metal-to-metal seal provides thermal stability during fire, together solving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and heat resistance.
2Loss of substance
If a valve element is provided to prevent fluid release upon disconnection, then fluid loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is designed to automatically translate between closed and open positions based on the connection state of the male and female ends, without requiring external control systems. The valve self-regulates fluid flow by responding to the mechanical state of the coupling, reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid loss prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is pre-configured to automatically close and seal the fluid passage when the male and female ends are disconnected, before any fluid loss can occur. This preliminary sealing action prevents fluid loss without requiring complex control mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If metal-to-metal seals are used to maintain sealing under fire conditions, then fire resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal-to-metal sealing surfaces are designed with specific local geometric features (angled surfaces meeting at a line) that concentrate the sealing function in a precise location. This localized sealing design achieves reliable metal-to-metal contact and fire resistance while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances through the self-aligning geometry.
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 design significantly reduces fluid leakage and maintains a secure seal even under fire conditions, meeting industry fire protection standards by utilizing metal-to-metal seals and elastomeric backup seals to prevent fluid loss and ensure safety.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient biasing member and metal-to-metal seals, which forms a secure seal upon disconnection
Implementation Method 2
utilizing metal-to-metal seals and elastomeric backup seals to prevent fluid loss
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A self-sealing end fitting includes a valve, an adaptor, and a connector. The valve may define a longitudinal axis and may include a first end portion, a second end portion, a flange disposed therebetween, and a central bore. The adaptor may have a first end portion surrounding at least the second end portion of the valve, and the connector may surround at least the first end portion of the valve. A portion of the connector, a portion of the flange, and a portion of the first end portion of the adaptor may define a pocket. The valve may be configured to move axially relative to the adaptor. In embodiments, a sealing surface of the flange may contact a corresponding sealing surface of the first end portion of the adaptor to form a first seal within the pocket, and the first seal may comprise a metal-to-metal seal.