Head geometry terminology: In a formed head, the crown radius and knuckle radius refer respectively to which sections?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Central dished section and corner torus section.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Pressure vessel heads combine multiple geometric regions: a central dish, a toroidal knuckle, and sometimes a straight flange. Accurate terminology is vital for fabrication drawings and code calculations.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A formed head consists of a central dished portion and a surrounding toroidal knuckle transitioning to the shell or flange.
  • Standard head types include elliptical, torispherical, and hemispherical.


Concept / Approach:
The crown radius R_c describes the radius of curvature of the central dished region. The knuckle radius r_k is the toroidal corner radius that blends the dish into the shell/straight flange. This language is consistent across head drawings and specifications.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the dish: center portion → crown radius.Identify the corner torus: blending region → knuckle radius.Match to options → (a) correctly pairs the terms and regions.


Verification / Alternative check:
Vendor catalogs and code sketches (e.g., torispherical heads) label R for crown and r for knuckle consistently.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Options (b), (c), and (d) misassign the radii to the wrong regions or to the straight flange, which does not define a curvature radius in the same sense.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the knuckle with a small fillet; the knuckle is a toroidal segment characterized by its own radius.


Final Answer:
Central dished section and corner torus section.

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