Medium self-tightening sealing device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a medium self-tightening sealing device, comprising a first component, a second component having a medium cavity, and a sealing assembly for axially sealing the connection between the first component and the second component, wherein the medium cavity comprises a plurality of pipe boxes arranged on the second component and separated from each other, and a plurality of heat exchange pipes connecting two adjacent pipe boxes are arranged on the first component, and the sealing assembly comprises an inner support ring, an outer support ring, and a sealing ring arranged between the inner support ring and the outer support ring, wherein the sealing ring has a hollow inner cavity, and a circular ring-shaped spring is built into the hollow inner cavity. A medium introduction hole is provided on the inner support ring, and the hollow inner cavity of the sealing ring is connected to a certain pipe box, so that the temperature of the sealing ring is the same at all locations along the circumference. The medium self-tightening sealing device of the present invention can compensate for the axial inharmonious deformation caused by different temperatures through the self-tightening function of the sealing assembly, thereby ensuring the continuous and effective sealing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medium self-tightening sealing device. Background Art

[0002] Heat exchangers are commonly used in nuclear power, petrochemicals, and other fields, and the sealing performance of their sealing devices has a significant impact on the equipment's operating efficiency. Traditional sealing devices often use spiral wound gaskets, covered gaskets, and other sealing gaskets to seal flanges. During operation, due to the objective temperature difference between pipes, the temperature of the flanges corresponding to multiple pipes from the inlet to the outlet is inconsistent, forming thermal stress within the flanges. This can lead to inconsistent axial deformation at various nodes around the flanges, resulting in localized loss of sealing working stress at different nodes around the gaskets, causing leaks. The more pipe passes there are, the more likely leaks will occur. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a medium self-tightening sealing device with better sealing performance.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a medium self-tightening sealing device, comprising a first component and a second component to be sealed and connected, and a sealing assembly for axial sealing between the first component and the second component, the first component having a first sealing end face, the second component having a second sealing end face, the sealing assembly being axially arranged between the first sealing end face and the second sealing end face, at least one of the first component and the second component having a medium cavity, the sealing assembly comprising an inner support ring, an outer support ring, and a sealing ring arranged between the inner support ring and the outer support ring, wherein a medium introduction hole is opened on the inner support ring, the medium introduction hole passes through the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the inner support ring, the sealing ring has a hollow inner cavity, a circular ring-shaped spring is built in the hollow inner cavity, and an open groove connected to the hollow inner cavity is provided on the inner circumference of the sealing ring, and the medium introduction hole is connected to the hollow inner cavity through the medium introduction hole and the open groove.

[0005] Preferably, the notch of the open groove extends through the circumference of the sealing ring.

[0006] Preferably, the cross section of the sealing ring is a C-shaped structure.

[0007] Preferably, the outer peripheral portion of the spring is tightly attached to the inner cavity wall of the hollow cavity.

[0008] Preferably, sealing layers are fixedly provided on both end faces in the height direction of the inner support ring, one of the sealing layers is in sealing contact with the first sealing end face, and the other sealing layer is in sealing contact with the second sealing end face.

[0009] Preferably, the outer peripheral portion of the sealing ring and the inner peripheral portion of the outer support ring are clearance-fitted.

[0010] Further preferably, the inner support ring includes a ring body having an inner hole and at least one rib fixedly arranged on the ring body, all of the ribs divide the inner hole of the ring body into a plurality of cavities that are not connected to each other, and one or more medium introduction holes are provided, and all of the medium introduction holes are simultaneously connected to only one of the cavities.

[0011] Further preferably, the medium cavity includes a plurality of pipe boxes provided on the second component and separated from each other, and the number and position of the pipe boxes correspond one-to-one to the number and position of the cavities.

[0012] Further preferably, the height of the rib is consistent with the height of the ring body, and the two end surfaces in the height direction are flush with each other.

[0013] Further preferably, a mounting groove is formed on the first component, a mounting protrusion is formed on the second component, the mounting protrusion can be cooperatively inserted into the mounting groove, the sealing assembly is arranged in the mounting groove, and the mounting protrusion is inserted in the mounting groove and pressed on the sealing assembly.

[0014] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: in the medium self-tightening sealing device of the present invention, the medium in the medium cavity enters the sealing ring through the medium introduction hole and the open groove on the sealing ring, forming a self-tightening stress of the sealing ring, and the temperature of the sealing ring is consistent at all circumferential locations and the force is uniform. At the same time, the elasticity of the sealing ring itself and the elastic force of the spring are combined to realize the self-tightening function of the sealing assembly, forming sufficient displacement compensation for each circumferential node in the axial direction, so that the seal between the first component and the second component is tighter, and the sealing effect is sustained and effective. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Attachment Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the medium self-tightening sealing device of the present invention;

[0016] Attachment Figure 2 For attachment Figure 1 Cross-sectional view at AA in the middle;

[0017] Attachment Figure 3 For attachment Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0018] Attachment Figure 4 For attachment Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0019] Attachment Figure 5Schematic diagram of the structure of the sealing assembly in the medium self-tightening sealing device of the present invention;

[0020] Attachment Figure 6 For attachment Figure 5 Partial cross-sectional view at DD in the middle;

[0021] Attachment Figure 7 For attachment Figure 5 Partial cross-sectional view at EE.

[0022] Wherein: 1. first component; 11. heat exchange pipe; 12. mounting protrusion; 13. cooling medium cavity; 14. through hole;

[0023] 2. Second component; 21. Pipe box; 211. Liquid inlet pipe box; 212. Liquid outlet pipe box; 213a, 213b, 213c. Intermediate pipe box; 22. Mounting slot; 23. Partition;

[0024] 3. Sealing assembly; 31. Inner support ring; 311. Medium introduction hole; 312. Inner wall; 313. Outer wall; 314. Sealing layer; 315. Ring body; 316. Rib; 317. Cavity; 32. Outer support ring; 33. Sealing ring; 331. Hollow inner cavity; 332. Open groove; 34. Spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] The shell and tube multi-pass heat exchanger is an application scenario of the medium self-tightening sealing device. The following will take the shell and tube multi-pass heat exchanger as an example to specifically explain the structural characteristics of the medium self-tightening heat exchange device.

[0027] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a medium self-tightening sealing device is shown, which includes a first component 1 and a second component 2 to be sealed and connected, and a sealing assembly 3 for axial sealing between the first component 1 and the second component 2. The first component 1 has a first sealing end face, the second component 2 has a second sealing end face, the sealing assembly 3 is axially arranged between the first sealing end face and the second sealing end face, and at least one of the first component 1 and the second component 2 has a medium cavity.

[0028] The medium cavity is provided on the second component 2, and the medium cavity includes a plurality of pipe boxes 21 provided on the second component 2 and separated from each other. The first component 1 is provided with a plurality of heat exchange pipes 11 for connecting two adjacent pipe boxes 21. This embodiment is specifically described using an 8-tube heat exchanger as an example.

[0029] In the 8-tube heat exchanger, the first component 1 can also be called a multi-chamber cooler, which has a cooling cylinder located at the upper part and having multiple cooling chambers and a flange connection part closed at the bottom end of the cooling cylinder; the second component 2 can also be called an autoclave with a flange connection part. For the convenience of naming, they are respectively referred to as the first component 1 and the second component 2.

[0030] See attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 As shown, multiple partitions 23 are provided in the medium cavity, and all of the partitions 23 divide the medium cavity into multiple tube boxes 21. Specifically, in the 8-tube shell-and-tube heat exchanger shown in this embodiment, the tube boxes 21 include an inlet tube box 211, an outlet tube box 212, and three intermediate tube boxes 213a, 213b, and 213c. The medium passes through the inlet tube box 211, the intermediate tube box 213a, the intermediate tube box 213b, the intermediate tube box 213c, and the outlet tube box 212 in the input direction. The medium introduction hole 311 is interconnected with the inlet tube box 211. The second component 2 is also provided with a medium inlet 2a connected to the inlet tube box 211 and a medium outlet 2b connected to the outlet tube box 212.

[0031] A cooling medium cavity 13 is provided on the upper portion of the first component 1, and the heat exchange pipe 11 is located in the cooling medium cavity 13. The first component 1 is also provided with through holes 14, and the number of through holes 14 is the same as the number of heat exchange pipes 11. The heat exchange pipes 11 and the through holes 14 are connected to each other to connect the respective pipe boxes 21. The high-temperature medium in the pipe box 21 is cooled by heat exchange when passing through the cooling medium cavity 13 through the heat exchange pipe 11. Specifically, the specific flow direction of the high-temperature and high-pressure pipe-side medium is shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 The medium flow direction line in the middle pipe.

[0032] See attached Figure 5 To the attached Figure 7 As shown, the sealing assembly 3 includes an inner support ring 31, an outer support ring 32, and a sealing ring 33 arranged between the inner support ring 31 and the outer support ring 32, wherein a medium introduction hole 311 is provided on the inner support ring 31, and the medium introduction hole 311 passes through the inner wall 312 and the outer wall 313 of the inner support ring 31, and the sealing ring 33 has a hollow inner cavity 331, in which a circular ring-shaped spring 34 is built. The inner periphery of the sealing ring 33 has an open groove 332 connected to the hollow inner cavity 331, and one of the pipe boxes 21 is connected to the hollow inner cavity 331 through the medium introduction hole 311 and the open groove 332.

[0033] Specifically, the inner support ring 31 includes a ring body 315 with an inner hole and at least one rib 316 fixedly mounted on the ring body 315. A sealing layer 314 is fixedly mounted on both end faces of the inner support ring 311 in the height direction. The ribs 316 divide the inner hole of the ring body 315 into a plurality of disconnected cavities 317. The number and position of the cavities 317 correspond one-to-one with the pipe box 21. In this embodiment, when viewed from above, the number and arrangement of the ribs 316 and the partitions 23 are identical, ensuring that the number and position of the cavities 317 correspond to the number and position of the pipe box 21. Specifically, there are five cavities 317.

[0034] The medium introduction hole 311 is located on the ring body 315 and extends in the radial direction of the inner support ring 31. The sealing layer 314 is a flexible graphite layer or a soft metal layer, which is used for the sealing connection between the partition 23 and the first component 1, thereby isolating the multiple cavities 317 and preventing the exchange of media between the cavities 317. The height of the rib 316 is consistent with the height of the ring body 315, and the two end faces are flush in the height direction. In this embodiment, there is one medium introduction hole 311 and it is connected to only one of the cavities 317. Of course, in some other embodiments, multiple medium introduction holes 311 can also be provided, but all medium introduction holes 311 must be connected to the same cavity 317.

[0035] The sealing ring 33 is made of metal or non-metal material with a certain strength. Its outer surface can be covered with soft materials such as silver, aluminum copper, etc. The notch of the opening groove 332 of the sealing ring 33 extends through the circumference of the sealing ring 33, that is, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing ring 33 is a C-shaped structure, so that the sealing ring 33 has a certain elasticity, that is, during the working process, the sealing ring 33 can provide a certain sealing stress; the opening groove 332 is connected to the medium introduction hole 311, and the spring 34 is bent into a ring by a cylindrical spring. The spring 34 itself The self-tightening sealing component 33 has a gap structure, so that the pressurized medium can enter the hollow inner cavity 331 of the sealing ring 33 through the medium introduction hole 311. The pressurized medium squeezes the hollow inner cavity 331 to provide the sealing stress required by the sealing component 3, and the outer periphery of the spring 34 is tightly attached to the inner cavity wall of the hollow inner cavity 331, so that the spring 34 can also provide a certain sealing stress. In this way, the self-tightening sealing component can form multiple sealing stresses; the outer periphery of the sealing ring 33 and the inner periphery of the outer support ring 32 are gap-fitted.

[0036] See attached Figure 1 To the attached Figure 4As shown, a mounting protrusion 12 is formed on the first component 1, a mounting groove 22 is formed on the second component 2, the sealing assembly 3 is arranged in the mounting groove 22, the mounting protrusion 12 is cooperatively inserted into the mounting groove 22 and pressed on the sealing assembly 3, the first component 1 and the second component 2 are axially connected by bolts, and sealing layers 314 are provided on the axial end faces on both sides of the inner support ring 31, so that the inner support ring 31 is sealed between the mounting groove 22 and the mounting protrusion 12.

[0037] The specific working principle of the medium self-tightening sealing device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0038] The first component 1 and the second component 2 are axially connected by bolts. The sealing assembly 3 is positioned in the mounting groove 22. The mounting protrusion 12 is inserted into the mounting groove 22, pressing the sealing assembly 3 against the mounting groove 22. The sealing ring 33 contacts the first component 1 and the second component 2, forming an initial sealing stress. After the heat exchanger begins operation, the pressurized medium in the liquid inlet manifold 211 enters the hollow inner cavity of the sealing ring 33 through the medium introduction hole 311 and the open groove 332. As the operating temperature and pressure increase, the medium in the sealing ring 33 generates a self-tightening stress Fa from the inside out. Under the action of this self-tightening stress Fa, the contact stress Fg on the contact surface between the sealing ring 33 and the two flanges also gradually increases, thus achieving a self-tightening seal.

[0039] In this embodiment, the pipe-side thermal fluid enters the liquid inlet manifold 211 from the medium inlet 2a, enters the liquid outlet manifold 212 after multiple heat exchange passes, and finally flows out from the medium outlet 2b. The temperature of the pipe-side thermal fluid gradually decreases as it flows through the liquid inlet manifold 211, the intermediate manifold 213a, the intermediate lumen 213b, the intermediate lumen 213c, and the liquid outlet manifold 212. The temperatures of the various manifolds 21 vary circumferentially. Specifically, the temperatures at the connections between the first and second components 1 and 2 and the liquid inlet manifold 211 are highest, while the temperatures at the connections with the liquid outlet manifold 212 are lowest. The temperatures at the connections with the intermediate manifolds 213a, 213b, and 213c gradually decrease. This results in differential thermal expansion of joint components such as bolts and flanges, resulting in inconsistent deformation and uneven sealing stress within the sealing assembly 3. The self-tightening function of the sealing ring 33 ensures sufficient axial displacement compensation at each circumferential node, thereby ensuring a continuous and effective seal.

[0040] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical concepts and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of the present invention are intended to be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medium self-tightening sealing device, comprising a first component and a second component to be sealed together, and a sealing assembly for axially sealing between the first and second components, wherein the first component has a first sealing end face, the second component has a second sealing end face, the sealing assembly is axially disposed between the first and second sealing end faces, the second component has a medium cavity, the medium cavity comprising a plurality of tube boxes disposed on the second component and spaced apart from each other, the different tube boxes having different circumferential temperatures, and characterized in that: The sealing assembly includes an inner support ring, an outer support ring, and a sealing ring disposed between the inner support ring and the outer support ring, wherein: The inner support ring includes a ring body with an inner hole and at least one rib fixedly arranged on the ring body. All the ribs divide the inner hole of the ring body into a plurality of mutually unconnected cavities. The number and position of the pipe box correspond to each other. A medium introduction hole is provided on the inner support ring, and the medium introduction hole passes through the inner wall and the outer wall of the inner support ring. There are one or more medium introduction holes, and all of the medium introduction holes are simultaneously connected to only one of the hole cavities. The sealing ring has a hollow inner cavity, and a circular spring is built into the hollow inner cavity. An open groove connected to the hollow inner cavity is provided on the inner circumference of the sealing ring, and one of the pipe boxes is connected to the hollow inner cavity through the medium introduction hole and the open groove.

2. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The notch of the open groove extends through the circumference of the sealing ring.

3. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The cross section of the sealing ring is a C-shaped structure.

4. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer peripheral portion of the spring is tightly attached to the inner cavity wall of the hollow cavity.

5. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sealing layers are fixedly provided on both end faces in the height direction of the inner support ring. One of the sealing layers is in sealing contact with the first sealing end face, and the other sealing layer is in sealing contact with the second sealing end face.

6. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer peripheral portion of the sealing ring and the inner peripheral portion of the outer support ring are clearance-fitted.

7. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the ribs is consistent with the height of the ring body, and the two end faces in the height direction are flush with each other.

8. The medium self-tightening sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mounting groove is formed on the first component, and a mounting protrusion is formed on the second component. The mounting protrusion can be fitted into the mounting groove. The sealing assembly is arranged in the mounting groove. The mounting protrusion is inserted into the mounting groove and pressed against the sealing assembly.

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