Pressurized Gas Tank Tapered Ring Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for ensuring tightness between the sealing jacket and the base of pressurized gas tanks, such as those for hydrogen, do not meet longevity specifications due to limited pressing force, which is dependent on the thread's ability to transmit force perpendicular to the tank's axis.
Innovation Solution
A tank design featuring a flexible sealing jacket with a neck that is progressively pressed between a base and a ring, where the ring moves parallel to the axis, utilizing a taper to multiply the pressing force and enhance tightness, along with optional features like a deformable bushing, annular protuberances, and O-rings to reinforce sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring is used to press the neck of the sealing jacket between the base and the ring, then tightness is ensured, but the pressing force is limited to what the thread can transmit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressing direction from perpendicular to the axis (thread direction) to parallel to the axis (ring movement direction). The ring moves along the axis to press the neck, utilizing the tapered surfaces to convert axial movement into radial pressing force, thereby overcoming the limitation of thread force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tapered surfaces with a specific angle (between 5° and 15°) on both the ring and the base. This parameter change allows the conversion of axial pressing force into enhanced radial tightness force through the mechanical advantage of the taper, significantly increasing the effective pressing force beyond what the thread alone can provide.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pressing plane is perpendicular to the axis of the tank, then assembly is simplified, but the pressing force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a pressing plane perpendicular to the axis to a pressing arrangement where the ring moves parallel to the axis. The tapered surfaces enable the conversion of axial motion into radial pressing action, maintaining assembly simplicity while dramatically increasing pressing force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ring movable along the axis rather than fixed in a static pressing position. This dynamic arrangement allows progressive pressing as the ring moves toward the base, enabling controlled application of force while maintaining assembly simplicity through the threaded connection.
3Reliability
If a deformable bushing is positioned between the face and the neck, then damage prevention is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deformable bushing as an intermediary element between the ring's pressing face and the neck of the sealing jacket. This bushing absorbs excessive localized pressure and distributes it evenly, preventing damage to the neck while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable bushing acts as a pre-positioned cushioning element that protects the neck from potential damage during the pressing operation. By placing this protective element beforehand, the patent prevents damage without requiring complex control mechanisms.
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 solution significantly increases the pressing force and thus the tightness between the sealing jacket and the base, ensuring better longevity and gas-tightness by leveraging the taper and fastener mechanisms, while also providing a buffer to prevent damage and enhancing sealing through localized overpressure.
Implementation Method 1
A face of the housing opposite the neck and a face of the ring opposite the neck have a small taper
Implementation Method 2
The elasticity of the jacket, combined with the pressing, ensures the tightness
Data Source
AI summary
A tank for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, comprises a structure, a base, a sealing jacket and a ring. The structure has a substantially cylindrical shape along an axis and includes at least one axial opening along the axis. The base is able to be positioned in said opening and comprises, on the inner side, a housing of revolution about the axis and a first fastener, and is pierced with at least one through pipe that is axial along the axis. The sealing jacket is flexible and tight, and is to cover the inner wall of the structure and comprises a neck able to be received in the housing. The ring is substantially of revolution about the axis, and comprises a second fastener able to cooperate with the first fastener in order to assemble the ring with the base, on the inner side, by bringing the ring closer to the base along the axis, so as to progressively press the neck between the ring and the base. The ring comes closer to the base following a movement parallel to the axis from the inside of the tank toward the outside. and A face of the housing opposite the neck and a face of the ring opposite the neck have a small taper.