Device for sealing orifices on nozzle of fuel injector for autofrettage process

A system for sealing a plurality of orifices through a wall of a vessel comprising:

• a cylindrical base including a plurality of segments of the base, the base defining a central axis therethrough wherein the base and the plurality of segments are disposed about the central axis;
• each of the plurality of segments comprising:
• an outer surface;
• and
• an inner surface configured to engage at least one sealing member of the plurality of sealing members;
• wherein a pair of adjacent segments of the plurality of segments define a slot therebetween, wherein each slot defined between each pair of adjacent segments includes a transverse width which is smaller than an axial length of each slot, and wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is configured to deform toward the central axis on application of a force upon the outer surface thereof to bias the at least one sealing member into sealing engagement with a respective orifice of the plurality of orifices;
• and
• wherein the inner surface comprises an inclined portion obliquely oriented with respect to the central axis of the base, the inclined portion configured to engage with the at least one sealing member wherein the inclined portion of the inner surface of each segment of the plurality of segments is configured to deform toward the central axis on application of a force applied to the outer surface of each segment of the plurality of segments in a radial direction normal to the central axis of the base to engage with and bias the at least one sealing member into sealing engagement with a respective orifice of the plurality of orifices of the vessel at an inclination angle which is equal to an outlet angle of the respective orifice.

A method for sealing, the method comprising:

• locating each of a plurality of sealing members to align with a corresponding orifice of a plurality of orifices through a wall of a vessel;
• providing a base which defines a central axis therethrough and includes a plurality of segments disposed along the central axis;
• locating the plurality of segments of the base to engage the plurality of sealing members;
• applying a force in a radial direction normal to the central axis of the base on an outer surface of each segment of the plurality of segments to deform each segment toward the central axis of the base to bias the plurality of sealing members into sealing engagement with the plurality of orifices;
• and
• providing an inner surface of each of the plurality of segments with an inclined portion which is obliquely oriented with respect to the central axis and engages at least one of the plurality of sealing members such that upon the application of the force on the outer surface of each segment of the plurality of segments to deform each segment toward the central axis of the base, the inclined portion of the inner surface of each segment of the plurality of segments engages with and biases the at least one sealing member into sealing engagement with a respective orifice of the plurality of orifices of the vessel at an inclination angle which is equal to an outlet angle of the respective orifice.