Vacuum Flange Clamp With Torque-Controlled Seal Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange clamp systems lack effective torque control and visual inspection features, leading to inadequate or excessive pressure on seals, which can result in seal failure and leakage, necessitating premature replacement.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system with hingedly joined clamp arms and a coupling device that applies a predetermined torque value, featuring visual inspection openings to monitor seal condition and an indicator for authentication, ensuring proper pressure maintenance and timely replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp is used to apply pressure on a seal between pipe flanges, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but inadequate or excessive pressure can lead to seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a torque control mechanism that changes the operational parameter from manual force application to controlled torque application. The torque control feature maintains clamp arm pressure within a predetermined range, preventing both inadequate and excessive pressure on the seal, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable sealing and controlling pressure precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp includes visual indicators that provide feedback on the sealing condition and torque application status. This feedback mechanism allows operators to monitor whether the seal is being compressed within the optimal pressure range, enabling real-time adjustment and preventing seal failure from improper pressure application.
2Measurement precision
If visual inspection features are added to monitor seal condition, then timely detection of seal degradation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates color-coded visual indicators that change or display different colors to indicate seal condition and torque application status. This color-change mechanism provides clear visual feedback on seal degradation and proper tightening without requiring complex electronic monitoring systems, thus achieving precise seal condition detection while minimizing added structural complexity.
3Reliability
If torque control features are implemented to maintain required pressure, then seal reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque control mechanism is designed as a self-regulating system that automatically maintains clamp arm pressure within the predetermined range without requiring external control systems or complex manufacturing processes. The mechanism uses inherent mechanical properties to self-regulate pressure, improving seal reliability while keeping manufacturing complexity manageable.
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 effectively maintains optimal sealing pressure and allows for timely inspection and replacement of seals, preventing failures and leaks, while ensuring consistent torque application and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a spring received in the chamber of the torque head so that a first end of the spring is positioned in the base recess and a second end of the spring rests against the inner wall to urge the base structure and the inner wall away from each other as the torque head is advanced toward the base structure resulting in applying force to the spring
Implementation Method 2
the predetermined torque value is reached by advancing a torque head of the of the coupling device toward a base structure located on the first front end portion of the first clamp arm until a first protrusion on the torque head is blocked by a second protrusion on the base structure
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system for establishing real time sealing between two flange members is provided. The sealing system includes a seal assembly disposed between the flange members. The seal assembly includes an o-ring seal component held between an outer seal component and an inner seal component. A clamp body including a first clamp arm and a second clamp arm receive the flange members and the seal assembly positioned between the flange members. A coupling device of the sealing system is used to apply torque to clamp arms to draw them each other resulting biasing the flange member toward each other to establish sealing. Each of the clamp arms includes at least one window opening to expose a portion of outer seal component that includes an indicator configured for displaying an identification feature of the o-ring seal component of the sealing assembly.