A semi-connected elastic skeleton based sealing assembly and application thereof

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of contact sealing, and particularly discloses a sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic framework and application thereof, which comprises a semi-connected elastic framework and an outer cladding layer, wherein the semi-connected elastic framework comprises a plurality of sheet-shaped elastic units, the sheet-shaped elastic units are in a hollow structure, the sheet-shaped elastic units are sequentially stacked, only part of adjacent sheet-shaped elastic units are connected, and gaps exist in other parts, so that each sheet-shaped elastic unit can independently deform and maintain a relatively fixed position, and the outer cladding layer is cladded on the outer side of the semi-connected elastic framework. The application can solve the problem that the current contact sealing has high requirements for the surface quality and shape of a sealing contact surface and is not suitable for variable contact force, and can particularly adapt to a non-ring-shaped sealing surface with poor flatness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of contact sealing technology, and more specifically, relates to a sealing component based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton and its application. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of modern industry, hydraulic systems are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding industries. However, one of the key technologies limiting the development of hydraulic technology is sealing technology. Sealing technology directly affects the working capacity and operational safety of mechanical equipment. For example, the 1986 Challenger space disaster was caused by the cryogenic failure of the O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster.

[0003] Contact seals can be categorized by sealing method into gasket seals, O-ring seals, and sealant seals, among others. The main factors affecting sealing performance include bolt preload, gasket performance, sealing surface quality, and flange rigidity. Due to limitations in machining accuracy and the influence of the operating environment, some sealing surfaces operate under high temperature and high pressure for extended periods. These factors can degrade the flatness of the sealing surface. In particular, the preload of some contact surfaces can fluctuate significantly due to changes in operating conditions. Simultaneously, bolts and other components that help preload the contact surface may be limited by the strength characteristics of the bolt material or the bolt placement, making it difficult to provide a greater preload. This can lead to the contact pressure falling below the lower limit or even separation, resulting in leakage.

[0004] To adapt to sealing surfaces with high requirements for elastic modulus and deformation capacity, a metal elastic sealing technology has been developed. Since this technology uses the principle of line contact between metal and the contact surface, it has high requirements for the flatness of the contact surface. There is also a sealing technology based on elasto-plastic materials with a metal skeleton. However, this technology combines metal and elasto-plastic materials, making the processing technology more complex, and its adaptability to the range of contact pressure variation is not strong enough.

[0005] The C-type sealing ring disclosed in patent CN 103646674 A uses an internal spring structure. Because the spring structure is helical, each turn is not a complete circle. Therefore, when subjected to pressure in the cross-sectional direction, there will be an axial force component perpendicular to the cross-section and deformation. This may cause the distance between adjacent spring turns to shorten or increase. A shorter distance increases the friction between adjacent spring turns, making elastic deformation within the cross-section more difficult. A larger distance affects the uniformity of elastic pressure at the spring sealing surface. Patent CN 114935009 A uses metal rubber as its main material. The manufacturing process of metal rubber is relatively complex and the production cost is high. Patent CN 105952891 A uses the O-ring sealing principle, improving the stability of the sealing ring, but it is not suitable for situations with poor sealing surface flatness. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present invention provides a sealing component based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton and its application, the purpose of which is to enable the sealing component to have stronger deformation capacity and elastic performance in the working direction, and to adapt to sealing surfaces with poor flatness.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton is provided, comprising a semi-connected elastic skeleton and an outer covering layer, wherein:

[0008] The semi-connected elastic skeleton includes several sheet-like elastic units, which are hollow structures. The sheet-like elastic units are stacked sequentially, and there are only partial connections between adjacent sheet-like elastic units, with gaps in other parts, so that each sheet-like elastic unit can deform independently while maintaining a relatively fixed position.

[0009] The outer covering layer covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment, the connecting portion between adjacent sheet-like elastic units accounts for 10% to 20%, with gaps existing in the remaining portion.

[0011] As a further preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the sheet-like elastic unit is O-shaped, E-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, or 8-shaped.

[0012] As a further preferred embodiment, when the cross-sectional shape of the sheet-like elastic unit is 8-shaped, the connecting portion of adjacent sheet-like elastic units is at the middle position of the sheet-like elastic unit.

[0013] As a further preferred embodiment, the semi-connected elastic skeleton is generally straight or curved.

[0014] As a further preferred embodiment, the width of the sheet-like elastic unit is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

[0015] As a further preferred embodiment, the gap between the semi-connected elastic skeleton and the outer covering layer is 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm.

[0016] As a further preferred embodiment, the semi-connected elastic skeleton is obtained by wire cutting, welding, or 3D printing.

[0017] As a further preferred embodiment, the outer covering layer is made of an elasto-plastic material; the outer covering layer is cylindrical and covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton, or sheet-like and partially covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, an application of the above-mentioned sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton is provided, wherein a flat-bottomed groove is machined on one side of the component of the contact pair to be sealed, the sealing assembly is placed into the groove, and the semi-connected elastic skeleton presses the outer covering layer tightly against the upper and lower contact surfaces of the groove.

[0019] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solutions conceived by this invention mainly possess the following technical advantages:

[0020] 1. The sealing assembly of the present invention has strong deformation capability and elasticity in the working direction, can adapt to sealing surfaces with poor flatness, and can be made into a non-annular structure; the present invention can solve the problem that current contact seals have high requirements for the surface quality and surface shape of the sealing contact surface and are not adapted to variable contact forces, especially adaptable to non-annular sealing surfaces with poor flatness.

[0021] 2. In this invention, there are small connections between the elastic unit sheets, but most of the parts have gaps, so that each sheet can deform independently while maintaining a relatively fixed position within the entire unit group; and the deformation direction of each sheet elastic unit is perpendicular to the axial direction, that is, consistent with the cross-sectional direction of the sheet elastic unit, and there is no tendency to deform outside the cross-sectional plane.

[0022] 3. The sheet-like elastic unit of the present invention adopts a hollow cross section, which makes the cross section configuration more complex, thereby giving the sheet-like elastic unit a higher degree of freedom in structural design and making its compression characteristics (the relationship curve between compression amount and compression load) more controllable.

[0023] 4. This invention processes semi-connected, sheet-like elastic skeleton unit groups through wire cutting, 3D printing and other methods, and adds an outer covering layer to the outer layer, thereby increasing the integrity of the sealing assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sealing assembly structure based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 (a) and (b) are front and side views of the sheet-like elastic unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a semi-connected elastic skeleton structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the individual deformation of each sheet-like elastic unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a linear semi-connected elastic skeleton according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a circular semi-connected elastic skeleton according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a curved semi-connected elastic skeleton according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing assembly used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements or structures, wherein: 1-semi-connected elastic skeleton, 2-outer covering layer, 3-sheet elastic unit, 4-lower flange, 5-sealing assembly, 6-upper flange, 7-fastening bolt, 8-annular gasket, 9-nut. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0034] This invention provides a sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a semi-connected elastic skeleton 1 and an outer covering layer 2, wherein:

[0035] The semi-connected elastic skeleton 1 includes several sheet-like elastic units 3, which are stacked sequentially, with only a small portion of adjacent sheet-like elastic units 3 connected, while most other parts have gaps, such as... Figure 3 As shown, there is a connecting part between the sheet-like elastic units 3, which allows each sheet-like elastic unit 3 to maintain a relatively fixed position and to deform independently without affecting each other. Figure 4 As shown;

[0036] The outer covering layer 2 covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton 1 and is in contact with the upper and lower sealing contact surfaces.

[0037] Furthermore, the connecting portion between adjacent sheet-like elastic units accounts for 10% to 20%, while the remaining portion has gaps.

[0038] Furthermore, the cross-section of the sheet-like elastic unit 3 is a hollow cross-section such as O-type, E-type, B-type, C-type or 8-type, so that it can be elastically deformed to a certain extent. The elastic coefficient is related to the hollow cross-section configuration and the thickness and width of the hollow edge strip.

[0039] Furthermore, the width of the sheet-like elastic unit 3 is 0.2mm to 1mm, where the width refers to the width in the stacking direction of the sheet-like elastic unit. See [link to documentation]. Figure 2 (a) The wall thickness of the sheet-like elastic unit 3 is 0.2 mm to 5 mm, see [reference]. Figure 2 (b) The specific dimensions can be designed and selected according to the sealing medium pressure and the surface quality of the sealing surface as needed; the width and distribution of each sheet-like elastic unit can vary.

[0040] Furthermore, the gap between the semi-connected elastic skeleton 1 and the outer covering layer 2 is 0.01mm to 0.02mm, which is conducive to the uniform application of pressure; the gap in other parts (such as the waist part of type 8) can be slightly larger, which is conducive to the independent elastic deformation of each sheet elastic unit 3.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the semi-connecting elastic skeleton 1 can be of various shapes, such as straight, circular, or curved. Specifically, by changing the gap between the sheet-like elastic units, the semi-connecting elastic skeleton 1 can be bent into different shapes to adapt to sealing surfaces of different shapes. When the semi-connecting elastic skeleton is bent, the width distribution of each sheet-like elastic unit should adapt to the deformation trend of the semi-connecting elastic skeleton, ensuring that the average gap between two adjacent sheet-like elastic units is relatively uniform, rather than having a smaller gap on one side and a larger gap on the other.

[0042] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the sheet-like elastic unit 3 is preferably type 8, such as... Figure 3 As shown, at this time, the connecting part of the adjacent sheet-like elastic units 3 is the middle position of the sheet-like elastic unit 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the semi-connected elastic skeleton 1 is obtained by wire cutting, welding, or 3D printing.

[0044] Furthermore, the outer covering layer 2 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororubber, silicone rubber or other durable elasto-plastic materials; the outer covering layer 2 can be cylindrical and covering the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton 1, or sheet-like and partially covering the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton 1.

[0045] When using the above-mentioned sealing assembly for sealing, a flat-bottomed groove with a square cross-section is pre-machined on one side of the component to be sealed. The sealing assembly is then placed into the groove, and the width of the groove should ensure the lateral deformation of the sealing assembly after installation and compression. The semi-connecting elastic skeleton 1 provides elastic contact force, pressing the outer covering layer 2 tightly, so that the outer covering layer 2 is in close contact with the upper and lower contact surfaces of the groove, thus completing the contact surface sealing.

[0046] The following are specific examples:

[0047] A sheet-like elastic unit 3 with an 8-shaped hollow cross-section is used to seal the flange of a reactor; the sealing surface is circular. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the device includes a lower flange 4, an upper flange 6, fastening bolts 7, annular gaskets 8, and nuts 9. The lower flange 4 and the upper flange 6 are fastened together by the fastening bolts 7. A sealing groove is left at the sealing surface of the upper flange, and the sealing component is placed in it. The upper and lower flanges are used to compress and deform the component to achieve a sealing effect.

[0048] Specifically, the reactor has an inner diameter of 105mm, and the distance from the inner diameter to the edge of the bolt hole is 14.5mm. The sealing surface is circular, and the usable sealing width is 14.5mm. A semi-connected elastic skeleton with a diameter of 12mm and a wall thickness of 0.5mm is used. Taking the middle diameter of the sealing assembly's ring as 60mm, the total length of the sealing assembly is 414.69mm. The designed width of the sheet-like elastic units is 2mm, requiring 207.345 sheet-like elastic units, rounded to 208. The total length of the sealing assembly is then 416mm. Since the sealing surface is circular, the difference between the inner and outer circumferences of the sealing assembly is 75.398mm. To ensure that each elastic unit deforms independently under compression without interference, a certain distance must be maintained between adjacent elastic units, designed to be 0.2mm. The total circumference difference is then 116.998mm. Considering the number of sheet-like elastic units, the wire-cut width of this semi-connected elastic skeleton is 0.6mm, and the number of wire cuts is the same as the number of elastic units, which is 208.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton, characterized in that, It includes a semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) and an outer covering layer (2), wherein: The semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) includes several sheet-like elastic units (3), which are hollow structures with an octagonal cross-section. The sheet-like elastic units (3) are stacked sequentially, and there is only a partial connection between adjacent sheet-like elastic units (3). The connection part is the middle position of the sheet-like elastic unit (3), and the connection part accounts for 10% to 20%. There are gaps in other parts, so that each sheet-like elastic unit (3) can deform independently and maintain a relatively fixed position. The semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) is obtained by wire cutting, welding or 3D printing. The outer covering layer (2) covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton (1).

2. The sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) is either straight or curved.

3. The sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the sheet-like elastic unit (3) is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

4. The sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gap between the semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) and the outer covering layer (2) is 0.01mm to 0.02mm.

5. The sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The outer covering layer (2) is made of an elastic-plastic material; the outer covering layer (2) is cylindrical and covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton (1), or sheet-like and covers the outside of the semi-connected elastic skeleton (1).

6. An application of a sealing assembly based on a semi-connected elastic skeleton as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, A flat-bottomed groove is machined on one side of the component to be sealed. The sealing component is placed into the groove, and the semi-connected elastic skeleton (1) presses the outer covering layer (2) tightly against the upper and lower contact surfaces of the groove.

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