Slip ring seal assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a slip ring seal assembly, which is configured for sealing isolation on a rotating component (22), comprising: a slip ring seal (2) having a rotating slip ring (3) with a sliding surface (3a) and a stationary slip ring (4) with a sliding surface (4a), the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring defining a sealing gap (5) between the sliding surfaces (3a, 4a), wherein the rotating slip ring (3) and the stationary slip ring (4) are made of an electrically conductive material, and wherein the rotating slip ring (3) is electrically connected to the rotating member (22); and a monitoring device (6) having an electrical circuit (7), a measuring unit (60) and an evaluation unit (61), the electrical circuit (7) comprising a first cable (71) electrically connecting the stationary slip ring (4) to the voltage source (70), a second cable (72) electrically connecting the rotating component (22) to the voltage source (70), and a capacitor (73), the capacitor (73) being configured as a plate capacitor, the plate capacitor being formed by the rotating slip ring (3) and the stationary slip ring (4), the measuring unit (60) being configured to measure the rotating component (22), and the evaluation unit (61) being configured to evaluate the rotating component (22). Wherein the measuring unit (60) is designed to detect a change in an electrical parameter of the circuit (7), and wherein the evaluation unit (61) is designed to evaluate the electrical parameter detected by the measuring unit (60).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slip ring seal assembly and a device with a slip ring seal assembly according to the present invention, which can achieve the status monitoring of the slip ring seal. Background Art

[0002] Slip ring seal assemblies are known in different design solutions. Here, the slip ring seal assembly seals off the product space from the environment at a rotating member, such as a shaft, of a device such as a compactor, compressor, pump or agitator. Here, the slip ring seal assembly must often perform the sealing task under extreme conditions such as high temperature, high pressure and / or toxic media. In order to avoid problems during operation, the slip ring seal assembly should be able to perform the sealing task as much as possible under all operating conditions and should be replaced if necessary before a failure to avoid an unplanned shutdown of the device or to avoid harm to personnel and the surrounding environment due to a damaged slip ring seal. It is difficult to determine here when the slip ring seal is about to fail. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a slip ring seal assembly and a device with a slip ring seal assembly, which can achieve as reliable a status detection of the slip ring seal as possible with a simple structure and simple and low-cost manufacturability.

[0004] This object is achieved by a slip ring seal assembly with the features of claim 1 and a device with the features of claim 14. The dependent claims accordingly give preferred improvements of the present invention.

[0005] The slip ring seal assembly with the features of claim 1 according to the present invention has the advantage that the status detection of the slip ring seal can be achieved in a relatively simple manner. Here, the structural changes, especially at the slip ring seal assembly, can be kept very small, so that status monitoring can also be used in the existing configuration of the slip ring seal assembly. Thus, it can be ensured that the performance of the slip ring seal assembly is not adversely affected due to status monitoring.

[0006] According to the present invention, this is achieved in such a way that the slip ring seal assembly has a slip ring seal with a rotating slip ring and a stationary slip ring, and a sealing gap is defined between the sliding surfaces of the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring. Here, the stationary slip ring and the rotating slip ring are made of a conductive material. Here, the stationary slip ring and the rotating slip ring are preferably made of a ceramic, conductive composite material. In addition, the rotating slip ring is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the rotating member, and the slip ring seal assembly is sealed and isolated at the rotating member. Here, the slip ring seal assembly includes a monitoring mechanism with a circuit, a measuring unit, and an evaluation unit. The circuit includes a first cable connecting the stationary slip ring to a voltage source, a second cable connecting the rotating member to the voltage source, and a capacitor. The capacitor is configured as a plate capacitor, where the plate capacitor is formed by the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring. Thus, the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring correspondingly form the capacitor plates of the plate capacitor, such that the two slip rings are electrical components. The measuring unit is configured to detect changes in the electrical parameters of the circuit, and the evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the electrical parameters detected by the measuring unit.

[0007] Thus, the components of the slip ring seal assembly itself are used as components of the circuit of the monitoring mechanism, so that the slip ring seal assembly can be monitored with a very small number of additional components. Thus, a particularly simple structure can be achieved, and the monitoring mechanism can be implemented in a very cost-effective manner. During operation, the slip ring seal assembly can also be continuously monitored without problems by the monitoring mechanism according to the present invention. If the detected electrical parameters show signs of change, the possible replacement of the slip ring seal or other components of the slip ring seal or other components of the slip ring seal assembly can be planned in advance, without causing serious failures during the operation of the slip ring seal assembly.

[0008] Preferably, the barrier fluid in the sealing gap between the sliding surfaces of the slip ring during operation is a dielectric. In this way, a capacitor including the slip ring can be provided in a very simple manner.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, a non-conductive coating is provided at at least one of the sliding surfaces, preferably at both sliding surfaces. The non-conductive coating electrically isolates the sliding surfaces of the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring, so that even when the slip ring seal assembly is in a stopped state or at a low rotational speed (in which the sliding surfaces of the slip rings touch each other), a status report on the slip ring seal can still be made. If, for example, the electrically isolating coating at the sliding surface peels off due to wear, the circuit of the monitoring mechanism closes at the sliding surface during the stopped state or when the sliding surfaces are in contact, which directly indicates the wear of the coating at the sliding surface. Then, corresponding countermeasures, such as replacing the slip ring, can be taken accordingly.

[0010] Preferably, the non-conductive coating at the sliding surface is a DLC coating (diamond-like carbon coating).

[0011] In order to electrically isolate the stationary slip ring from the housing, there is preferably a non-conductive element between the stationary slip ring and the housing. Here, for example, a non-conductive coating, such as a DLC coating, can again be provided at the housing and / or at the stationary slip ring.

[0012] According to other preferred embodiments of the invention, the slip ring seal assembly further includes a torque transmission device at the stationary slip ring, which is electrically isolated from the stationary slip ring and / or from the housing. Here, the torque transmission device is configured to prevent the stationary slip ring from rotating following during operation. The torque transmission device is, for example, a torque pin, which is fixed in the housing at one end and holds the stationary slip ring in a rotation-resistant manner at the other end. Here, the pin is, for example, arranged in a groove at the outer circumference at the stationary slip ring or in a blind hole in the slip ring.

[0013] The pin particularly preferably has a cap made of a non-conductive material, especially PEEK, to ensure electrical isolation between the stationary slip ring and the housing.

[0014] Further preferably, the slip ring seal assembly further includes a preloading mechanism and a clamping ring, which are arranged at the back side of the stationary slip ring. The preloading mechanism preloads the stationary slip ring in the axial direction X-X towards the rotating slip ring, wherein the preloading mechanism is also electrically isolated from the stationary slip ring. This can be achieved in a simple manner by the clamping ring being made of a non-conductive material or by providing a coating made of a non-conductive material at the back side of the stationary slip ring or at the clamping ring.

[0015] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is that the stationary slip ring has a non-conductive coating on all external surfaces. Then, the electrical contact of the stationary slip ring realized by means of the first cable must be carried out through an opening constructed in the coating.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the evaluation unit is configured to compare the measured measurement parameters of the circuit by the measurement unit with comparison parameters to determine a deviation. Then at least a warning message etc. can be issued. The comparison parameters are, for example, the measurement parameters previously recorded by the measurement unit and / or preset comparison parameters originating from experiments and stored in the memory.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the evaluation unit is configured to determine the size of the sealing gap in the axial direction X-X of the slip ring seal according to the detected electrical measurement parameters. Thereby, it is possible to simply detect possible leakage via the sealing gap of the slip ring seal.

[0018] Preferably, the evaluation unit is configured to determine the wear of the sliding surface of the slip ring and / or the wear of the torque transmission device.

[0019] Further preferably, the slip ring seal assembly further includes a temperature sensor, which is connected to the evaluation unit and configured to detect the temperature of at least one slip ring. Another feasible solution for monitoring the slip ring is provided by the additional temperature sensor.

[0020] Further preferably, the evaluation unit is configured to determine a change in the size of the sealing gap based on the temperature change detected by the temperature sensor. When the sliding surfaces touch each other during the operation of the device, a sudden temperature change is particularly obtained. This leads to contact friction between the sliding surfaces, as a result of which the temperature of the slip ring increases. This can be detected by the temperature sensor and the evaluation unit correspondingly issues a warning signal.

[0021] Knowing the touch of the sliding surfaces is important, for example, when shutting down large devices such as large compaction machines, turbines, etc., which due to thermal reasons must be started for a long time during low-speed operation, the so-called Slow-Roll-Betrieb. It is advantageous here that the rotational speed for this type of low-speed operation can be made as close as possible to the rotational speed at which contact may occur between the sliding surfaces. Here, it is necessary to prevent the sliding surfaces from remaining in contact for a long time during low-speed operation, because this will cause damage to the slip ring seal.

[0022] During device startup, that is, from the time point related to the rotational speed when separating from the sliding surfaces that are in contact in the shutdown state, a temperature jump also occurs. Because there is no longer contact friction between the sliding surfaces, the temperature of the slip ring then decreases due to the sealing gap formed between the sliding surfaces. In addition, low-speed operation may also be required during standby operation of the device to enable the device to start up (Hochfahren) faster.

[0023] Thus, especially when the sliding surfaces have a non-conductive coating, the presence and / or the size of the sealing gap of the contact friction between the sliding surfaces can be directly inferred by evaluating the measured values of the temperature sensor, whereby the device can be controlled during low-speed operation at a rotational speed slightly higher than the rotational speed at which contact occurs at the sliding surfaces of the slip ring seal.

[0024] In order to be able to detect the temperature of the slip ring as accurately and quickly as possible, the temperature sensor is preferably directly arranged at the stationary slip ring. Preferably, the temperature sensor is positioned in a blind hole in the stationary slip ring.

[0025] In addition, the present invention also relates to a device with a slip ring seal assembly according to the present invention. The device is, for example, a turbo-compressor, a compressor, a pump or a stirrer. The slip ring seal assembly seals and isolates the product space from the environment at a rotating member such as a shaft. Here, the device includes a control unit which is configured to control the device. Here, the evaluation unit of the slip ring seal assembly is configured to receive other operating parameters of the device, in particular the rotational speed of the device, the pressure of the medium to be sealed off and / or the temperature of the medium to be sealed off and / or the total operating duration of the device, from the control unit of the device since the slip ring seal is installed. Here, the evaluation unit is configured to process the detected parameters of the measuring unit in combination with the received parameters of the control unit to generate a report on the wear state of the slip ring seal assembly. Further preferably, the evaluation unit is configured to transmit the measured parameters detected by the measuring unit to the control unit of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device with a slip ring seal assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device with a slip ring seal assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device with a slip ring seal assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The following will refer to Figure 1 describe in detail a device 100 with a slip ring seal assembly 1 according to the present invention.

[0031] The device 100 is a compressor with compressor blades 101, wherein the slip ring seal assembly 1 seals and isolates the product area 20 from the environment area 21 at the rotating shaft 22.

[0032] As Figure 1 clearly shown, the slip ring seal assembly 1 includes a slip ring seal 2 with a rotating slip ring 3 and a stationary slip ring 4. A sealing gap 5 is defined between the sliding surface 3a of the rotating slip ring 3 and the sliding surface 4a of the stationary slip ring 4.

[0033] Here, the rotating slip ring 3 is connected to the rotating shaft 22 by means of a slip ring carrier 30 and rotates therewith.

[0034] The stationary slip ring 4 is arranged at the housing 10 and is configured to be axially movable. Here, a preloading mechanism 8 acting on the back side 4b of the stationary slip ring 4 via a compression ring 9 is provided, such that the stationary slip ring 4 is preloaded towards the rotating slip ring 3 in the axial direction X-X of the slip ring seal 2.

[0035] To prevent the stationary slip ring 4 from rotating along with the rotating slip ring 3 during operation, a torque transmission device 41 is provided. The torque transmission device 41 includes a pin 42 and a cap 43. The cap 43 is made of a non-conductive material, preferably PEEK. Here, the torque transmission device 41 is arranged in a groove 40, which is provided at the outer circumference of the stationary slip ring 4. The other free end of the pin 42 of the torque transmission device 41 is fixed in the housing 10. It should be noted that in the stationary slip ring, a plurality of pins of this type are arranged along the circumferential direction of the stationary slip ring 4 in correspondingly formed grooves to prevent the stationary slip ring 4 from rotating along during equipment operation.

[0036] The rotating slip ring 3 and the stationary slip ring 4 are correspondingly made of a conductive material. Preferably, the slip rings are made of conductive ceramics.

[0037] The slip ring seal assembly 1 further includes a monitoring mechanism 6. The monitoring mechanism 6 has a circuit 7, a measuring unit 60, and an evaluation unit 61.

[0038] The circuit 7 includes a voltage source 70, a first cable 71 electrically connecting the voltage source 70 to the stationary slip ring 4, a second cable 72 electrically connecting the shaft 22 to the voltage source 70, and a capacitor 73.

[0039] The capacitor 73 is configured as a plate capacitor, where the plate capacitor is formed only by the conductive rotating slip ring 3 and the stationary slip ring 4. During equipment operation, when a sealing gap 5 is formed between the rotating slip ring 3 and the stationary slip ring 4, the barrier fluid located in the sealing gap 5 forms the dielectric of the plate capacitor. Thus, the conductive rotating slip ring 3 and the conductive stationary slip ring 4 are electrically separated from each other. In this embodiment, the dielectric is air. When the equipment 100 is shut down, the stationary slip ring 4 is preloaded towards the rotating slip ring 3 by the preloading mechanism 8, such that the sliding surfaces 3a, 4a of the slip rings touch. Thereby, the circuit 7 is closed.

[0040] As Figure 1 Clearly shown, in the inner region of the stationary slip ring 4, the electrically isolated first cable 71 is guided through the housing 10 until it is guided into the opening formed by the back side 4b in the stationary slip ring. Thus, reliable electrical contact of the stationary slip ring 4 can be achieved through the first cable 71, which is then of course no longer electrically isolated in the stationary slip ring 4.

[0041] Starting from the rotary slip ring 3, the circuit 7 is then closed via the slip ring carrier 30, the shaft 22 made of metal and also conductive, and the second cable 72 leading back to the voltage source 70.

[0042] At this time, the measuring unit 60 is configured to detect changes in the electrical parameters of the circuit 7. For example, when there is wear at the sliding surface, the seal gap size of the seal gap 5 usually changes in the axial direction X-X. Thereby, the capacitance of the capacitor 73 formed by the slip ring structure changes, which can be correspondingly detected by the measuring unit 60.

[0043] The detected electrical measurement parameters are input into the evaluation unit 61, which can then be compared with, for example, previous measurement parameters detected by the measuring unit 60, or can also be compared with preset comparison parameters. Then, according to the comparison, a warning message can be issued, for example, when wear is recognized at the sliding surface.

[0044] In addition, the evaluation unit 60 is connected to the control unit 102 of the device 100. Thereby, data exchange between the evaluation unit 61 and the control unit 102 can be realized. For example, when wear is recognized at the sliding surface, the control unit is configured to correspondingly adjust the operating parameters of the device 100, such as reducing the rotational speed, to prevent the slip ring seal 2 from being completely damaged. If necessary, the device 100 can also be completely shut down.

[0045] Through the connection between the control unit 102 and the evaluation unit 61, the control unit 102 can also transmit operating data to the evaluation unit 61, such as the rotational speed of the shaft 102, the temperature of the medium in the product area 20, the pressure in the product area 20, and / or the total operating time of the device 100, where the evaluation unit 61 can then perform an evaluation based on the detected electrical parameters and the operating parameters input by the control unit 102.

[0046] The stationary slip ring 4 is configured with a first non-conductive coating 11 for electrical isolation at the groove 40, in which the torque transmission device 41 is arranged. The second non-conductive coating 12 is provided at the sleeve-shaped protrusion 10a of the housing 10, in which the stationary slip ring 4 is axially movably arranged. Thereby, the stationary slip ring 4 is reliably electrically isolated from other components, especially the housing 10 and the torque transmission device 41. If wear occurs at the first and / or second coating 11, 12, it will also cause changes in the electrical parameters of the circuit 7, which can be detected by the measuring unit 60 and correspondingly by the evaluation unit 61.

[0047] In addition, the slip ring seal assembly 1 includes a temperature sensor 16. The temperature sensor 16 is arranged in a blind hole formed in the stationary slip ring 4 and is connected to the evaluation unit 61 via a connecting cable 17.

[0048] The temperature sensor 16 is arranged to detect the temperature of the stationary slip ring. During the normal operation of the slip ring sealing assembly, i.e., when a sealing gap 5 is formed between the sliding surfaces 3a, 4a of the slip ring, the temperature of the slip ring is usually constant at a predetermined level. If a long contact occurs at the sliding surfaces 3a, 4a of the slip ring during operation, contact friction is generated, which will cause a sudden temperature rise at the sliding surface and correspondingly at the slip ring. This temperature rise can be detected by the temperature sensor 16 and processed in the evaluation unit. Here, the evaluation unit is arranged to determine the change in the size of the sealing gap at the sliding surface based on the temperature change.

[0049] Therefore, the evaluation unit 61 can infer during operation from the temperature rise that there must have been a contact at the sliding surface that caused increased contact friction and thus the temperature rise, and take corresponding countermeasures. In the case of low-speed operation, the evaluation unit can also relatively accurately determine the rotational speed at which the slip ring seal does not exactly contact at the sliding surface based on the temperature change. Since this type of low-speed operation usually lasts for several hours or days, the low-speed operation should be carried out at as low a rotational speed as possible, but the rotational speed should not be too low such that contact that may damage the slip ring seal occurs at the sliding surface during low-speed operation. Therefore, the low-speed operation can be optimized by additionally using a temperature sensor.

[0050] Even when starting the device, a long low-speed operation may be required, and it must be ensured that the rotational speed at which the sliding surfaces of the slip ring are separated from each other and a sealing gap is formed between the slip rings is also selected in the starting state. Only then can the low-speed operation be carried out without damaging the slip ring seal.

[0051] In addition, redundant detection of the contact of the sliding surface can be achieved by the temperature sensor. Because when contact occurs at the sliding surface, as described above, the circuit of the monitoring mechanism 6 closes, which can be immediately detected by the measuring unit 60. Redundantly, when contact occurs at the sliding surface, it also causes a sudden temperature rise at the slip ring, which can be detected by the temperature sensor 16. Therefore, redundant detection of the contact at the sliding surface of the slip ring can be carried out.

[0052] Therefore, according to the present invention, a monitoring mechanism 6 with a simple structure can be realized, which can achieve reporting on the state of the slip ring sealing assembly 1. Here, the monitoring mechanism 6 is extremely stable, so that the monitoring mechanism 6 can be used especially even when the slip ring sealing assembly 1 has to perform the sealing task under extreme conditions. In particular, sensitive measuring tools can be omitted. The measuring unit 60 and the evaluation unit 61 can be arranged away from the product area 20 and can be arranged, for example, in a corresponding protective housing, etc. In addition, it is feasible that the existing structural units of the slip ring sealing assembly, especially the torque transmission device 41 and the pre-tightening mechanism, can be used without change.

[0053] Figure 2 Fig. 2 shows a slip ring seal assembly 1 and a device 100 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Identical or functionally identical parts are labeled with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0054] In the second embodiment, a third coating 13 is formed on the sliding surface 3a of the rotating slip ring 3, and a fourth coating 14 is formed on the sliding surface 4a of the stationary slip ring 4. The two coatings 13, 14 are made of a non-conductive material, such as DLC. Thus, compared with the first embodiment, a change related to the circuit 7 is obtained in the second embodiment, such that when the sliding surfaces 3a, 4a of the slip rings touch in the shutdown state of the device, the circuit 7 is not closed. This can be detected by the measuring unit 6. If wear occurs at the sliding surface such that the coatings 13, 14 are worn, the circuit 7 is closed when contact appears between the sliding surfaces, which can be directly detected by the measuring unit 60 and the evaluation unit 61.

[0055] It should be noted here that during operation, the contact of the slip rings occurs not only in the shutdown state of the device 100, but also when the rotational speed is reduced, for example, for a direction change of the rotation direction of the shaft 22, or during low-speed operation. For example, when contact can still be detected through the closed circuit 7 at an operating speed where no contact would occur with intact coatings 13, 14, wear at the sliding surface can also be detected.

[0056] It should be noted that wear can of course also be detected when only one of the two sliding surfaces has a non-conductive coating.

[0057] When contact friction that causes the temperature of the slip ring to rise occurs due to contact at the sliding surface during low-speed operation, by providing a temperature sensor 16, contact at the sliding surface of the slip ring seal can still be detected even when there is a non-conductive coating at the sliding surface. The temperature sensor 16 can detect the temperature rise at the stationary slip ring 4 and the evaluation unit 61 can correspondingly infer the contact at the sliding surface based on the temperature change and give a report on the size of the seal gap.

[0058] In other respects, this embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment, so reference can be made to the description given there.

[0059] Figure 3 Fig. 3 shows a device 100 with a slip ring seal assembly 1 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Identical or functionally identical parts are again labeled with the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments.

[0060] As Figure 3It is clearly shown that in the third embodiment, the stationary slip ring 4 is configured such that a coating 15 is formed at all the outer surfaces of the stationary slip ring 4. The coating 15 is made of a non-conductive material. Thus, the coating 15 is provided at the sliding surface 4a, the back side 4b, the inner circumferential side, and the outer circumferential side of the stationary slip ring. Therefore, the stationary slip ring 4 is completely electrically isolated by the coating 15. Then, during operation, when the circuit is closed, wear can be inferred as in the second embodiment especially when the coating 15, particularly at the sliding surface 4, is worn. Then, since a short circuit occurs via the housing 10 if necessary, the wear can also be detected when wear occurs at the inner circumferential portion or the outer circumferential portion. Here, the non-conductive coating 15 can be applied to the stationary slip ring 4 in one step, so that the monitoring mechanism 6 can be provided in a particularly cost-effective manner.

[0061] Contact at the sliding surface can also be inferred again by the temperature sensor 16 based on the jumpy temperature change at the stationary slip ring 4.

[0062] Due to the complete all-round electrical isolation of the stationary slip ring 4, no other electrical isolation parts need to be provided at the slip ring seal assembly 1. Thus, the existing components of the slip ring seal assembly 1 can be used without modification. In other respects, the third embodiment corresponds to the foregoing embodiments, so that the description given there can be referred to.

[0063] List of reference numerals

[0064] 1 Slip ring seal assembly

[0065] 2 Slip ring seal

[0066] 3 Rotating slip ring

[0067] 3a Sliding surface of the rotating slip ring

[0068] 4 Stationary slip ring

[0069] 4a Sliding surface of the stationary slip ring

[0070] 4b Back side of the stationary slip ring

[0071] 5 Sealing gap

[0072] 6 Monitoring mechanism

[0073] 7 Circuit

[0074] 8 Preloading mechanism

[0075] 9 Pressure ring

[0076] 10 Housing

[0077] 10a Sleeve-shaped protrusion of the housing

[0078] 11 First non-conductive coating

[0079] 12 The second non-conductive coating

[0080] 13 The third non-conductive coating

[0081] 14 The fourth non-conductive coating

[0082] 15 The non-conductive coating at all outer faces of the stationary slip ring

[0083] 16 Temperature sensor

[0084] 17 Connecting cable

[0085] 20 Product area

[0086] 21 Environment area

[0087] 22 Shaft

[0088] 30 Slip ring carrier

[0089] 40 Groove

[0090] 41 Torque transmission device

[0091] 42 Pin

[0092] 43 Cap

[0093] 60 Measuring unit

[0094] 61 Evaluation unit

[0095] 70 Voltage source

[0096] 71 First cable

[0097] 72 Second cable

[0098] 73 Capacitor

[0099] 100 Device

[0100] 101 Compactor blade

[0101] 102 Control unit of the device

[0102] X-X axial direction

Claims

1. A slip ring sealing assembly configured for sealing isolation at a rotating member (22), the slip ring sealing assembly comprising: - A slip ring seal (2) having a rotating slip ring (3) with a sliding surface (3a) and a stationary slip ring (4) with a sliding surface (4a), the rotating slip ring and the stationary slip ring defining a sealing gap (5) between the sliding surfaces (3a, 4a), - wherein the rotating slip ring (3) and the stationary slip ring (4) are made of a conductive material, - wherein the rotating slip ring (3) is electrically connected to the rotating member (22); and - A monitoring mechanism (6) with a circuit (7), a measuring unit (60) and an evaluation unit (61), - wherein the circuit (7) includes a first cable (71) electrically connecting the stationary slip ring (4) to a voltage source (70), a second cable (72) electrically connecting the rotating member (22) to the voltage source (70), and a capacitor (73), - wherein the capacitor (73) is configured as a plate capacitor, and the plate capacitor is formed by the rotating slip ring (3) and the stationary slip ring (4), - wherein the measuring unit (60) is configured to detect changes in the electrical parameters of the circuit (7), and - wherein the evaluation unit (61) is configured to evaluate the electrical parameters detected by the measuring unit (60).

2. The slip ring sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barrier fluid in the sealing gap (5) is a dielectric.

3. The slip ring sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sliding surfaces (3a, 4a) of the slip rings (3, 4) has a non-conductive coating (13, 14; 15).

4. The slip ring sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a non-conductive element is arranged between the stationary slip ring (4) and the housing (10) for electrical isolation.

5. The slip ring sealing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the non-conductive element is a non-conductive coating (12).

6. The slip ring sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a torque transmission device (41) arranged between the stationary slip ring (4) and the housing (10), wherein the torque transmission device (41) is electrically isolated from the stationary slip ring (4) and / or from the housing (10).

7. The slip ring sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a preloading mechanism (8) and a pressure ring (9) arranged at the back side (4b) of the stationary slip ring (4), wherein the preloading mechanism (8) preloads the stationary slip ring (4) in the axial direction (X-X), and wherein the pressure ring (9) is made of a non-conductive material to electrically isolate the preloading mechanism (8) from the stationary slip ring (4).

8. The slip ring sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary slip ring (4) has a non-conductive coating (15) on all its outer surfaces.

9. The slip ring seal assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (61) is further configured to determine a deviation by comparing the electrical measurement parameter detected by the measurement unit (60) with a comparison parameter.

10. The slip ring seal assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (61) is further configured to determine the size of the sealing gap (5) in the axial direction (X-X) during operation based on the detected electrical measurement parameter of the measurement unit (60).

11. The slip ring seal assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature sensor (16), which is connected to the evaluation unit (61) and is configured to detect the temperature of at least one slip ring.

12. The slip ring seal assembly according to claim 11, wherein the evaluation unit (61) is configured to determine a change in the size of the sealing gap between the sliding surfaces based on a change in the temperature of the slip ring.

13. The slip ring seal assembly according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the temperature sensor (16) is arranged at the stationary slip ring.

14. A device, comprising - a rotating member (22), - the slip ring seal assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and - a control unit (102), wherein the control unit (102) is configured to control the device, and - wherein the evaluation unit (61) is configured to obtain the operating parameters of the electrical device and monitor the slip ring seal assembly (1) in combination with the electrical measurement parameters of the measurement unit (60).

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the evaluation unit (61) is configured to transmit the comparison result to the control unit (102) of the device, and the control unit (102) is configured to change the operating parameters of the device (100) based on the comparison result.

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