Seal Installation Tool for Water Jet Injector Grooves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal installation tools for water jet projection devices are cumbersome, require many parts, are costly, and have reliability issues due to wear and require additional hydraulic systems, making seal replacement time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A single-part tool with a slider, drive dog, and ramp system that allows for easy insertion and placement of an O-ring into a groove within the water jet projection device, reducing the need for external parts and hydraulic systems, enabling quick seal replacement by sliding the tool into the device and using gravity to position the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a positive clamping system with piston and tie rods is used to press the perforated plate against the O-rings, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases, manufacturing cost increases, and additional hydraulic systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex positive clamping system (piston, tie rods, hydraulic system) by utilizing the existing pressurized water flow within the injector to automatically press the perforated plate against the O-ring seals. The water pressure itself becomes the clamping force, removing the need for separate mechanical clamping components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational parameter (pressurized water flow) to perform the sealing function. The water pressure that is already present in the injector for its primary function also serves to clamp the perforated plate against the seals, creating a self-servicing system that eliminates external hydraulic systems.
2Ease of operation
If a seal holder with thickness of 6 to 8 mm is used to mount the seals, then seal installation is simplified, but the distance between the perforated plate and the web increases, reducing water jet energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the seal mounting function directly into the injector body by integrating the groove for receiving the O-ring into the injector structure itself, eliminating the separate seal holder. This integration removes the 6-8 mm thickness barrier while maintaining ease of seal installation through the open groove design.
3Reliability
If the seal is completely trapped inside the injector as in US Pat. No. 6,012,654, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but seal replacement time increases to two hours
Solution Approach 1:
The groove for receiving the O-ring is designed with segmented or open sections that allow the seal to be partially accessible from the outside. This segmentation enables the seal to remain trapped enough for effectiveness while allowing quick replacement by reaching through the open portions of the groove.
Solution Approach 2:
The open groove acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the need for seal containment and the need for quick replacement. The groove geometry allows the seal to be held in place during operation while providing access points for rapid installation and removal.
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 tool significantly reduces seal change time from two hours to five minutes, uses fewer parts, and eliminates the need for additional components, enhancing reliability and efficiency in seal replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The gasket enters it in the stretched state, because the gasket has a smaller perimeter than that of the throat. As the seal is stretched, it is thinned and enters the groove easily
Implementation Method 2
This can be done simply by gravity, because when the toc is at the other end of the tunnel, the seal falls by itself into the open throat
Data Source
AI summary
Said tool for installing a seal in a groove comprises a pad having a smooth planar upper sliding surface (20) and a lower surface on which are arranged successively, in the longitudinal sliding direction of the pad, a driving dog (21) and a ramp (25) that moves away from the upper surface (20) as it moves away from the dog (21).