High-Temperature Sensor Clamp With Tool-Free Anti-Slip Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-temperature clamps used in sensing assemblies for applications like jet engines fail to securely hold sensing elements due to high operating temperatures and vibrations, leading to potential damage and slippage issues.
Innovation Solution
A high-temperature clamp design featuring a recess with a narrow opening that can be temporarily separated to secure sensing elements, a tool-free latch for easy opening and closing, and affixing areas for secure attachment to a support or structure, ensuring the elements are firmly seated and prevented from slipping out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing high-temperature clamps are used to secure sensing elements, then the sensing assembly can operate in high-temperature environments, but the sensing elements slip and become damaged due to high temperatures and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into a body portion and a cover portion that can be separately assembled. The sensing element is segmented into portions that can be independently secured within the clamp structure. This segmentation allows for better distribution of securing forces and prevents slippage under thermal and vibrational stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element is nested within the clamp structure, with the tube-like sensing element positioned inside the clamp body and secured by the cover. This nested configuration provides multi-layer protection and ensures the sensing element remains firmly held even under high-temperature and high-vibration conditions.
2Reliability
If a secure clamp design is used to prevent slippage, then sensing element reliability improves, but assembly and disassembly become complex requiring tools
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a self-latching mechanism where the cover portion can be manually opened and closed without requiring external tools. The latch automatically secures the cover to the clamp body when closed, providing tool-free assembly and disassembly while maintaining reliable securing of the sensing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp design includes movable components that transition between open and closed states. The cover can be dynamically opened for assembly/disassembly and automatically latches into a secure closed position, providing both ease of operation and reliable securing through a single mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp structure is simplified for easy operation, then assembly becomes tool-free, but the ability to secure elements firmly in high-temperature environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates curved and rounded surfaces in its structure, including the cover and body portions. These curved surfaces distribute securing forces more evenly across the sensing element, preventing stress concentration that could lead to slippage or damage under high-temperature conditions while maintaining the simplicity of the latching mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensing assembly (200) comprising: one or more sensing elements (210) formed as a tube; and one or more clamps (100) configured to secure the one or more sensing elements, wherein each of the one or more clamps includes a recess (110) in which each of the one or more sensing elements is seated.