Threaded Mount with Slot for Lateral Probe Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe insertion devices for pressurized pipes, such as those in ship ballast systems, face challenges due to long service lengths required for probe removal, which occupy excessive space and are prone to vibration damage, and pose safety concerns in confined marine environments.
Innovation Solution
A threaded cylindrical mount with a lengthwise slot cutout and a drive assembly featuring a drive nut that allows lateral insertion and removal of probes, reducing the overall length of the device and enhancing safety by minimizing exposure to vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional probe insertion device is used, then the probe can be inserted into the pressurized pipe, but the service length required for probe removal is too long, occupying excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The probe removal path is changed from linear (straight back through the valve) to angular (lateral extraction through the slot cutout). The slot is positioned at an angle to the pipe axis, allowing the probe to be extracted laterally rather than requiring a long linear service space behind the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is segmented with a slot cutout that separates the probe insertion/withdrawal function from the valve assembly. This allows the probe to be removed through a different spatial path than the traditional straight-back extraction, reducing the required service length.
2Ease of operation
If a longer adaptor assembly is used to accommodate probe removal, then the probe can be fully retracted, but the device becomes more susceptible to vibration damage
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the probe extraction path to a lateral direction through the slot cutout, the device length is reduced. This shorter configuration is less susceptible to vibration damage while still allowing complete probe retraction and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is extracted laterally through the slot cutout rather than being pulled straight back through the entire valve assembly. This extracts the probe from the main assembly path, reducing the required device length and vibration exposure.
3Area of stationary object
If the service length is reduced for compactness, then space and vibration resistance are improved, but the probe cannot be fully retracted through the sealed valve
Solution Approach 1:
The slot cutout is positioned and oriented to allow the probe to be retracted fully through the sealed valve by moving laterally rather than straight back. The slot's position and angle enable complete probe extraction while maintaining a compact device configuration.
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 enables efficient and safe probe insertion and removal in constricted spaces, reducing the risk of damage from vibrations and improving user safety by allowing lateral extraction, which is shorter and more space-efficient compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a drive assembly further comprising a drive nut, wherein the drive nut has threads that engage the threaded outer diameter of the threaded cylindrical mount which allows the drive nut to be moved the length of the cylindrical mount by screwing the drive nut of the drive assembly onto the threads of the threaded cylindrical mount
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an insertion mount, including a threaded cylindrical mount with a hollow inner diameter and a lengthwise slot cutout for receiving a probe; and a drive assembly further comprising a drive nut, wherein the drive nut has threads that engage the threaded outer diameter of the threaded cylindrical mount which allows the drive nut to be moved the length of the cylindrical mount by screwing the drive nut of the drive assembly onto the threads of the threaded cylindrical mount.