Swivelling Hydraulic Coupling With External Seal for High Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings, particularly quick-release couplings, are not designed for high-pressure applications in hydraulic systems and suffer from wear and tear due to pressurized fluid and rotational movement, requiring frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic coupling with a male component and a coupling adapter that includes a nut and a sealing assembly, allowing swivellable interconnection while blocking axial and rotational movements, using a resilient outer seal and a restraining mechanism to prevent movement and enhance seal durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If quick-release couplings are used for hydraulic applications, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and tear from pressurized fluid and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into separate functional components: a stationary coupling adapter with sealing surfaces, and a rotating male component with its own sealing system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the adapter provides stable sealing surfaces while the male component handles rotation, reducing wear on critical sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the entire coupling to rotate as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the approach by making the male component rotate on its own axis while the coupling adapter remains stationary. The sealing surfaces are arranged so that rotation occurs around sealed interfaces rather than across them, minimizing seal wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotational movement is allowed in the coupling, then adaptability is improved for swivelling applications, but stress and friction increase causing frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing surface acts as an intermediary between the rotating male component and the stationary coupling adapter. This bearing surface absorbs the rotational friction and wear, allowing swivelling motion while protecting the primary sealing surfaces from direct contact during rotation, thereby extending maintenance intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the coupling have different functional properties: the sealing surfaces are designed for fluid tightness with smooth, non-rotating contact, while the bearing surfaces are designed for rotation with appropriate friction characteristics. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of swivelling capability and reduced wear on critical surfaces.
3Reliability
If the male component is restrained axially and radially, then reliability is improved by reducing wear, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design allows dynamic rotation of the male component while maintaining static axial and radial restraint through the bearing surface and sealing interfaces. This dynamic configuration enables the male component to swivel freely during operation while remaining axially positioned, achieving both reliability through reduced wear and operational flexibility.
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 coupling provides reliable, long-lasting fluid communication under high pressure by reducing stress and friction, extending the lifespan of seals and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The outer seal being made of resilient material and adapted to block axial and radial movement of the male component relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
The coupling provides reliable, long-lasting fluid communication under high pressure by reducing stress and friction
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for providing a connection and establishing fluid communication between fluid lines is provided. The coupling includes a housing defining an internal cavity with an open end, and a male component engageable within the internal cavity through the open end. The male component has a shank portion adapted to engage a fluid line. The coupling also has a nut securable to the housing and adapted to surround a portion of the shank portion and radially and axially restrain the shank portion within the internal cavity. The nut is further adapted to allow the male component to rotate with respect to the housing and the nut about a longitudinal axis of the shank portion. The coupling further includes a sealing ring provided about the shank portion which is adapted to at least partially block axial and radial movement of the male component relative to the nut and the housing.