System And Method For Installing A Manifold Plug

What is this patent about?

’147 is related to the field of sealing holes in devices such as hydraulic manifolds. The background involves various existing plug and sealing systems, including rivet systems and plugs with flexible sleeves and cores. These existing solutions often suffer from drawbacks such as complicated manufacturing processes, lack of depth control during installation, or insufficient pressure resistance.

The underlying idea behind ’147 is to provide a more easily installed and manufactured insert that can reliably seal holes, even under high pressure. This is achieved by using a two-part insert consisting of a tapered core that is drawn into a cylindrical sleeve , causing the sleeve to expand and seal against the walls of the hole. The key insight is to use the tapered core to provide a controlled radial expansion of the sleeve, ensuring a tight and reliable seal.

The claims of ’147 focus on a system for sealing an installation hole, comprising an installation device with a drive, an end piece with a bore and a distal surface larger than the hole, a pull-rod with a threaded end, and an insert with a metallic sleeve and a tapered core. The pull-rod is threaded into the core, and the drive retracts the pull-rod, pulling the core into the sleeve and expanding it against the hole. A switch coupled to a rotation drive and the pull-rod coupler activates the rotation drive upon axial pressure on the pull-rod, causing the pull-rod to rotate and release from the core's threaded hole after retraction.

In practice, the insert is placed into the hole, and the pull-rod of the installation device is threaded into the core. The installation device then retracts the pull-rod, drawing the tapered core into the cylindrical sleeve. This action causes the sleeve to expand radially, pressing against the walls of the hole and creating a seal. The distal surface of the installation device's end piece acts as a depth stop , ensuring consistent installation depth. After the core is fully drawn in, the pull-rod rotates to disengage from the core, leaving the sealed insert in place.

This design differs from prior approaches by eliminating the need for stems that break off during installation, simplifying manufacturing and installation. The use of a tapered core and cylindrical sleeve allows for a more controlled and repeatable expansion compared to flexible sleeves or rivet-type systems. Furthermore, the system is designed to withstand high pressures, making it suitable for demanding applications like hydraulic manifolds, where the insert can resist blow out pressures of 40,000 psi or higher due to the metallic materials and the press-fit between the core and cylinder.