Vapor Coupler Seal Assembly for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid system couplers and adaptors often allow fluid or vapor leaks during connection and disconnection, posing environmental and resource waste concerns despite proper functioning.
Innovation Solution
A vapor coupler design featuring a coupler body with a seal assembly and poppet assembly that moves between locked and unlocked positions via a handle, ensuring minimal fluid or vapor escape by creating a tight seal when connected and preventing flow when disconnected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current couplers and adaptors are used for fluid transport connections, then fluid transfer functionality is achieved, but fluid or vapor leakage occurs during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is divided into distinct functional segments: a seal assembly with movable sealing elements, a poppet assembly with valve members, and a coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the seal assembly prevents leakage at the connection interface, the poppet assembly controls internal flow, and the coupling mechanism manages connection/disconnection - thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing fluid leakage during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is positioned and pre-configured within the coupler body before connection occurs. The sealing elements are preliminarily arranged to engage with the adaptor, and the poppet assembly is pre-positioned to control flow paths. This preliminary action ensures that sealing and flow control are already in place before fluid transfer begins, preventing leakage during the connection process while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If couplers are designed with sealing mechanisms to prevent leakage, then environmental protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly and poppet assembly are merged into a single integrated coupler structure, with both assemblies working together to prevent leakage. The seal assembly handles external sealing at the connection interface, while the poppet assembly manages internal flow control. This merging of multiple sealing and control functions into one unified device achieves comprehensive leak prevention and environmental protection without requiring separate complex systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between pollution prevention and device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If a secure seal is maintained during connection, then fluid loss is minimized, but ease of operation during disconnection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly incorporates movable sealing elements that can dynamically adjust their position and engagement level. During connection, the sealing elements are positioned to create a secure seal that minimizes fluid loss. During disconnection, the sealing elements can move to facilitate easier separation. This dynamic capability allows the seal assembly to adapt to different operational phases, resolving the contradiction between maintaining a secure seal to prevent fluid loss and enabling easy disconnection operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system coupler includes a coupler body having an open end for receiving an adaptor therein. A seal assembly is movably disposed within the coupler body for selective sealing engagement with an adaptor. Lever cams pivot into or out of slots in the coupler body between locked and unlocked positions to fasten or unfasten the adaptor to the coupler. A handle is movably connected to the coupler body. Movement of the handle moves the seal assembly within the coupler body. Movement of the handle also results in movement of the lever cams between the locked and unlocked positions. A poppet assembly is mounted to the seal assembly. The poppet assembly can selectively open or close a fluid passageway through the coupler.