Spherical Ball Positioning for Pressure Vessel Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure vessels, especially thin-walled ones, face high stress concentrations due to conventional positioning elements like cylindrical pins, which are difficult to handle, expensive, and prone to damage, and require deep holes that introduce stress concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A positioning arrangement using complementary rounded recesses and spherical balls that fit snugly within these recesses, reducing stress concentrations and ensuring accurate alignment without the need for expensive and fragile pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cylindrical pins are used as positioning elements, then alignment precision is improved, but stress concentration increases and handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cylindrical pins with spherical balls as positioning elements. The spherical shape eliminates the sharp edges and deep holes associated with cylindrical pins, thereby reducing stress concentration in thin-walled pressure vessels while maintaining alignment precision through the ball's ability to fit precisely between complementary recesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple spherical balls instead of precision-machined cylindrical pins. These balls are easier and cheaper to manufacture, handle, and replace if damaged, reducing both manufacturing costs and handling complexity while achieving the same positioning function.
2Manufacturing precision
If cylindrical pins are used as positioning elements, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple spherical balls that are much cheaper to manufacture than precision cylindrical pins. The balls can be produced through simpler processes and do not require the same level of machining precision, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical shape of the positioning balls simplifies manufacturing compared to cylindrical pins. Spheres can be produced more economically through various processes such as spheroidizing, forging, or even spherical bearing reuse, eliminating the need for expensive precision boring and grinding operations required for cylindrical pins.
3Manufacturing precision
If cylindrical pins are used as positioning elements, then alignment precision is improved, but handling ease worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical balls are much easier to handle than cylindrical pins. Their symmetrical shape allows for easier grasping, insertion, and replacement without the risk of rolling away or getting lost like small pins. If damaged, they can be easily replaced without specialized tools or handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical geometry provides superior handling characteristics compared to cylindrical pins. The balls can be easily picked up, positioned, and inserted into the complementary recesses without requiring precise orientation, unlike pins that must be inserted in a specific directional orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
The positioning arrangement comprises at least one pair of complimentary rounded recesses, each recess being provided on the mating face of the corresponding component. One ball is positioned between each pair of complementary recesses.