Tool-less Closure Spool Mechanism for Pressurized Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure mechanisms for pressure vessels and pipes face challenges in applying sufficient force to open or release a locking ring without inadvertently disengaging, especially when the system is pressurized.
Innovation Solution
A tool-less closure system featuring a spool structure that allows rotational movement to radially expand or contract a locking ring segment, enabling engagement or disengagement between a head and a hub using a handle connected to a cover plate, which rotates the spool and radial arms to move the locking ring segments axially along a tapered surface, allowing controlled opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking ring is used to secure the head to the hub in a pressurized system, then the system reliability is improved, but it becomes difficult to open the closure without applying excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism uses a dynamic locking ring that can transition between expanded (locked) and contracted (unlocked) states. The locking ring is biased by a spring to remain expanded and locked during pressurized operation, but can be dynamically contracted by rotating the spool to disengage from the hub groove, allowing easy opening without excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
A spool mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's rotational input and the locking ring's radial movement. The spool converts rotational motion into axial movement that pushes or pulls the locking ring radially, providing mechanical advantage to either secure or release the closure with minimal user effort.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is designed to prevent inadvertent disengagement under pressure, then the system safety is improved, but the complexity of the closure mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is divided into multiple independent locking segments that can engage with the hub groove separately. Each segment is actuated by radial arms connected to the spool, allowing individual control and reducing the force required for disengagement while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool serves as a centralized control mechanism that mediates between the user's single rotational action and the coordinated movement of multiple locking segments. This intermediary component simplifies the user interface while managing the complexity of coordinating multiple locking elements.
3Force
If a handle with large range of motion is used to operate the closure, then sufficient force can be applied, but the device becomes less compact and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spool acts as a mechanical intermediary that converts a small rotational movement of the handle into a large radial displacement of the locking ring. The spool's diameter creates a mechanical advantage where a short rotation of the handle produces sufficient axial movement to fully disengage the locking segments from the hub groove.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transforms the rotational motion of the handle into radial movement of the locking ring through the spool's axial displacement. This dimensional transformation allows a compact rotational input to produce the necessary radial force for unlocking without requiring a long-levered handle.
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 system provides a safe and reliable method to open or close the pressure vessel with minimal user effort, ensuring the locking ring is not inadvertently disengaged while the system is pressurized, using a single lever with a small range of motion and reducing the need for high force over a long distance.
Implementation Method 1
The spool and the post operably engaged wherein pivotal motion of the spool causes the spool to move axially along the post
Implementation Method 2
The head has a tapered surface near a radially outward edge
Data Source
AI summary
A closure comprises a hub with a central opening and a head pivotally connected to the hub, the head sealing the central opening when in a closed position, a spool rotatable about a post extending from the head, wherein rotation of the spool causes axial movement of the spool along the post, a plurality of radial arms extending from the spool to a plurality of locking segments.