Tubular Coupling Assembly with Retainer Clip for Leak-Proof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for connecting tubular components are inefficient and prone to leaks and misassembly, particularly when dealing with electrically sensitive fluids, as they lack effective sealing and error-proofing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a coupling assembly with a nut assembly and a ferrule, along with a retainer clip and spring, which form an electrically conductive path and prevent misassembly by ensuring proper alignment and secure engagement of tubular components through radially outward forces and self-locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection methods are used for tubular components, then assembly is simpler, but the connections are prone to leaks and misassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the nut assembly with internal threads for engagement, the ferrule for sealing and electrical conduction, the retainer clip for positioning and error-proofing, and the spring for maintaining radial force. Each segment performs a specific function, collectively ensuring leak-proof and misassembly-proof connections while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is nested within the nut assembly, with the retainer clip positioned in grooves of the nut assembly. The spring is positioned within the nut assembly adjacent to the retainer clip. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to occupy compact space, achieving reliable sealing and electrical conduction without proportionally increasing overall assembly complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional connection methods are used, then fewer components are required, but proper alignment and secure engagement cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer clip positioned in the groove of the nut assembly automatically ensures proper alignment between the ferrule and nut assembly during assembly. The spring automatically maintains radial outward force on the retainer clip, ensuring continuous secure engagement. These self-aligning and self-securing features achieve precise alignment without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms or additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clip is pre-positioned in the groove of the nut assembly before final assembly, establishing the correct alignment position in advance. The spring is pre-positioned to exert radial outward force on the retainer clip, ensuring secure engagement is maintained throughout the assembly process. This preliminary positioning prevents misalignment and ensures proper engagement from the outset.
3Reliability
If conventional connection methods are used, then assembly is faster, but electrical shorts and misassembly cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule serves as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical engagement and electrical conduction functions. The retainer clip acts as an intermediary that ensures proper positioning of the ferrule relative to the nut assembly. These intermediary components enable electrical safety through the conductive path while maintaining assembly efficiency through integrated design that eliminates separate electrical grounding steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule simultaneously provides mechanical sealing, electrical conduction, and structural support functions. The retainer clip simultaneously provides positioning, alignment, and error-proofing functions. The spring simultaneously maintains radial force and ensures continuous engagement. This multi-functionality achieves electrical safety and misassembly prevention without requiring additional dedicated components or assembly steps, thus not increasing assembly time.
4Reliability
If conventional connection methods are used, then the structure is simpler, but leaks cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly employs composite construction with the ferrule providing sealing surfaces that interface between tubular components. The retainer clip and spring provide mechanical force to maintain sealing contact. This composite approach combines materials and mechanisms with different properties (sealing, mechanical force, elasticity) to achieve reliable leak prevention without requiring a single complex sealing mechanism.
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
This configuration ensures secure and leak-proof connections between tubular components, preventing misassembly and electrical shorts while reducing the need for additional assembly steps and hardware, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fluid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the spring is biased to apply a radially outward force against the internal groove when the spring is positioned in the internal groove
Implementation Method 2
in contact with the retainer clip when coupled to the nut assembly to form an electrically conductive path through the nut assembly, the retainer clip, and the ferrule
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling together tubular components is described herein. The apparatus includes a coupling assembly with a coupling device having threads and an internal groove. The coupling assembly also includes a retainer clip positionable in the internal groove. The retainer clip is biased to apply a radially outward force against the internal groove when the retainer clip is positioned in the internal groove. The coupling assembly includes a ferrule, coupleable to the coupling device, in contact with the retainer clip when coupled to the coupling device to form an electrically conductive path through the coupling device, the retainer clip, and the ferrule. The retainer clip is configured to prevent movement of the coupling device relative to the ferrule when the retainer clip has an unbiased inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the ferrule or the retainer clip is not properly inserted into the internal groove.