Tri-Clamp Sight Glass Assembly for Manual Sanitary Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-line sight glass assemblies in sanitary processes require tools for assembly and disassembly, leading to contamination risks and inefficiencies due to bolted or threaded designs that complicate cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A tri-clamp style sight glass assembly with interchangeable annular connection bodies and a transparent tube, secured by a clamp with wing nuts or bolts that allow manual assembly and disassembly without tools, ensuring proper gasket compression and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolted or threaded assemblies are used to secure sight glass components, then secure assembly and proper gasket compression are achieved, but tool requirement and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection body is divided into separate clamp portions that can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the assembly to be divided into manageable segments that are easier to handle and assemble without requiring complex tooling while maintaining secure connection
Solution Approach 2:
A gasket is introduced as an intermediary element between the connection bodies that provides the sealing function, allowing the mechanical connection to be simplified while still achieving proper seal compression through the gasket's inherent compliance and design
2Strength
If bolted or threaded assemblies are used to secure sight glass components, then secure assembly is achieved, but contamination risk increases due to crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional bolted or threaded fastening elements that create crevices and contamination risks are extracted and replaced with a clamp-based system that maintains secure assembly while eliminating the harmful crevices where bacteria could harbor
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using internal threading or bolting mechanisms that create hidden crevices, the design inverts the approach by using external clamping action that applies pressure from the outside, achieving secure assembly without creating internal contamination pockets
3Strength
If conventional bolted or threaded assemblies are used, then secure connection is achieved, but disassembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static, tool-dependent fastening mechanism to a dynamic clamp-based system that can be quickly opened and closed by hand, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure connection during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp-based connection system is designed to be self-servicing, allowing operators to assemble and disassemble the sight glass components by hand without requiring external tools, thereby reducing maintenance time and simplifying operational procedures
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
Facilitates easy and hygienic assembly and disassembly of sight glasses in sanitary processes, reducing contamination risks and simplifying maintenance while maintaining a secure seal for fluid observation.
Implementation Method 1
the first gasket is compressed between the first hollow connection body and a first end of the transparent tube and forms a seal therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary in-line sight glass assembly is provided having separate first and second hollow connection bodies and a transparent tube retainable between and within the connection bodies when the connection bodies are secured together in an end-to-end abutting relationship. Gaskets are located within the connection bodies at opposite ends of the transparent tube and a clamp is provided for securing the ends of the connection bodies together such that the gaskets are compressed and form seals. The connection bodies include sidewalls having at least one opening through which the transparent tube is exposed for providing a viewing window into a flow path defined by the assembly. The clamp may be a circumferentially-extending clamp having ends secured together with a winged fastener able to be gripped by the hand of an installer such that the assembly can be assembled and disassembled manually without the use of a tool.