Compressor seal arrangement

Abstract

A sealing arrangement for a rotary device includes a seal member configured to selectively seal against fluid passing between two chambers. The seal member seals against fluid when in an actuated state and does not provide such sealing when in a deactuated state. A transition member maintains the seal member in the deactuated state during an initial configuration of the rotary device. After a time, the rotary device is transitioned (e.g., using a tool) to a subsequent configuration in which the seal member is actuated. Actuating the seal members during a mid-life of the rotary device enhances the life expectancy of the rotary device.

Description

COMPRESSOR SEAL ARRANGEMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian provisional application No. 202411032794, filed April 25, 2024, and titled “COMPRESSOR SEAL ARRANGEMENT,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] A rotary device (e.g., a compressor, a blower, a supercharger, etc.) includes a housing defining a rotor cavity and a bearing cavity. One or more rotor shafts extend from the bearing cavity into the rotor cavity. Power (e.g., torque) is supplied to the rotor shafts at the bearing cavity. Rotation of the rotors transfers to rotation of rotors within the rotor cavity. Each shaft engages a bearing arrangement disposed within the bearing cavity. Oil or other lubrication is disposed within the bearing cavity to flow between the shaft and bearing arrangement.

[0003] The rotor cavity and the bearing cavity are sealed from each other by a sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement inhibits debris from the rotor cavity from flowing into the bearing cavity. The sealing arrangement also inhibits lubrication from flowing from the bearing cavity to the rotor cavity. In certain implementations, the sealing arrangement includes an air seal and a separate lubrication seal.SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a sealing arrangement includes a first seal member and a second seal member spaced axially apart from each other along a rotor shaft of a rotary device. The first seal member is configured to seal against fluid passing from a bearing chamber to a rotary chamber of the rotary device. The second seal member is configured to inhibit debris from passing from the rotary device towards the bearing chamber. The second seal member also being configured to selectively seal against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the rotary chamber of the rotary device.

[0005] In certain implementations, the second seal member is transitionable between an actuated state and a deactuated state. The second seal member seals against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the rotary chamber when in the actuated state and does not provide such sealing when in the deactuated state.

[0006] In certain examples, the second seal member guards against debris regardless of the state in which the second seal member is configured.

[0007] In certain implementations, the second seal member is biased to the actuated state.

[0008] In certain implementations, a transition member is configured to maintain the second seal member in the deactuated state (e.g., against the bias) while the transition member is disposed in a first position. In certain implementations, moving the transition member to a second position transitions the second seal member to the actuated state. In certain examples, the first and second positions of the transition member are axially spaced from each other along the rotor shaft.

[0009] In certain implementations, the rotary device defines an aperture providing access to the transition member for manual movement of the transition member between the first and second positions.

[0010] In certain implementations, the first seal member is configured to be transitioned between an actuated state and a deactuated state. In certain examples, the transition member also is configured to transition the first seal member to the deactuated state when the transition member is disposed to the second position. In certain examples, the first seal member is not biased to the actuated state.

[0011] In certain implementations, seals may be a life limiting component of a product as they wear out before other components of the product. In the seal arrangement disclosed herein, the individual life of each of multiple seals is separately utilized to increase (e.g., double) the life of the product in which the seal arrangement is used. Absent the transition between actuated and deactuated states of the various seals, the seals may wear simultaneously, thereby limiting the life of the product.

[0012] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0014] FIG. l is a perspective view of an example rotary device configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary device of FIG. 1 showing, inter alia, a sealing chamber in which a sealing arrangement is disposed.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example sealing arrangement suitable for use with the rotary device of FIGS. 1 and 2, the sealing arrangement including a first seal member and a second seal member.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example cross-section of the second sealing member of FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an example transition member suitable for use with the sealing arrangement of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an enlarged portion FIG. 2 showing a first example implementation of a sealing arrangement including a first seal member in an actuated position and a second seal member in a deactuated position.

[0020] FIG. 7 schematically depicts a tool inserted into the sealing chamber to move the transition member.

[0021] FIG. 8 shows the second seal member of FIG. 6 in the actuated position.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another example transition member.

[0023] FIG. 10 shows a second example implementation of a sealing arrangement suitable for use within the rotary device of FIGS. 1 and 2, the second sealing arrangement including a first seal member in an actuated position and a second seal member held in a deactuated position by the transition member of FIG. 9.

[0024] FIG. 11 shows the first seal member of FIG. 10 held in a deactuated position by the transition member of FIG. 9 and the second seal member of FIG. 10 in the actuated position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an example rotary device 100 configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The rotary device 100 includes a housing 101 defining a bearing chamber 102 and a rotary chamber 104. A rotor shaft 105 is disposed within the housing 101 extending between the bearing chamber 102 and the rotary chamber 104 (e.g., see FIG. 2). The rotor shaft 105 is accessible within the bearing chamber 102 through a torqueinput. Rotors 107 are rotated by the rotor shaft 105 to induce and direct a fluid flow within the rotary chamber between the flow apertures 108. A sealing chamber 111 is disposed between the bearing chamber 102 and the rotary chamber 104.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2-11, a sealing arrangement 110 is disposed within the sealing chamber 111. The sealing arrangement 110 includes a first seal member 112 and a second seal member 114. The sealing arrangement 110 is configured to be transitioned during a lifetime of the rotary device 100 from an initial configuration to a subsequent configuration. When disposed in the initial configuration, the sealing arrangement 110 seals against leakage from the bearing chamber 102 towards the rotary chamber 104 using the first seal member 112 and not the second seal member 114 (e.g., see FIGS. 6 and 10). When disposed in the subsequent configuration, the sealing arrangement 110 seals against leakage from the bearing chamber 102 towards the rotary chamber 104 using the second seal member 114 (e.g., see FIGS. 8 and 11). In certain examples, the sealing arrangement 110 may also continue to utilize the first seal member 112 to seal against leakage from the bearing chamber 102 (e.g., see FIG. 8).

[0028] In certain implementations, the first seal member 112 and the second seal member 114 are mounted about the rotor shaft 105 within the sealing chamber 111. The first and second seal members 112 are rotationally fixed relative to the housing 101 so that the rotor shaft 105 rotates relative to the first and second seal members 112, 114. The first and second seal members 112, 114 are spaced apart from each other along the rotor shaft 105. The first seal member 112 is disposed closer to the bearing chamber 102 and the second seal member 114 is disposed closer to the rotary chamber 104.

[0029] Each of the first and second seal members 112, 114 includes a sealing lip 116 configured to press against the rotor shaft 105 when the respective seal member 112, 114 is actuated. In certain implementations, the first seal member 112 is initially actuated when the sealing arrangement 110 is installed on the rotor shaft 105. In certain implementations, the second seal member 114 also includes a debris flap 118 configured to extend towards the rotor shaft 105. In certain examples, the debris flap 118 does not contact the rotor shaft 105. In certain examples, the debris flap 118 extends sufficiently close (e.g., about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, etc.) to the rotor shaft 105 to block debris from passing between the debris flap 118 and the rotor shaft 105.

[0030] In certain implementations, the second seal member 114 is transitionable between an actuated state (e.g., see FIGS. 8 and 11) and a deactuated state (e.g., see FIGS. 6 and 10). The second seal member 114 seals against fluid passing from the bearing chamber 102 to the rotary chamber 104 when in the actuated state (see FIGS. 8 and 11). In particular, the sealinglip 116 of the second seal member 114 is pressed against the rotor shaft 105 when disposed in the actuated state. The second seal member 114 does not provide such sealing when in the deactuated state. For example, the sealing lip 116 is radially offset from the rotor shaft 105 when the second seal member 114 is disposed in the deactuted state (e.g., see FIGS. 6 and 10).

[0031] In certain implementations, the second seal member 114 is biased towards the actuated state. For example, a biasing member 120 can be disposed about the sealing lip 116 of the second seal member 114 to bias the sealing lip 116 radially towards the rotor shaft 105. In certain examples, the second seal member 114 defines an open groove 115 or cavity in which the biasing member 120 seats. In certain examples, the biasing member 120 is a helical spring. In certain implementations, the biasing member 120 does not exert a biasing force on the debris flap 118.

[0032] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a transition member 122, 132 is disposed within the sealing chamber 111 to selectively transition the second seal member 114 between the actuated and deactuated states, thereby transitioning the sealing arrangement 110 between the initial configuration and subsequent configuration. The body of the transition member 122, 132 includes a first axial extension 114 facing the second seal member 114. The first axial extension 124, 134 of the transition member 122, 132 extends between the sealing lip 116 of the second sealing member 114 and the rotor shaft 105 when the transition member 122, 132 is disposed in the first position, thereby holding the sealing lip 116 away from the rotor shaft 105 in the deactuated state (e.g., see FIGS. 6 and 10). The transition member 122, 132 is spaced from the sealing lip 116 of the second seal member 114 when disposed in the second position (e.g., see FIGS. 8 and 11). In certain implementations, spacing the first axial extension 124, 134 from the sealing lip 116 of the second seal member 114 enables the biasing member 120 to bias the sealing lip 116 against the rotor shaft 105.

[0033] In certain implementations, the transition member 122, 132 has a body extending around the rotor shaft 105. In certain implementations, the body of the transition member 122, 132 is supported by the housing of the sealing chamber 111 instead of by the rotor shaft 105. In certain examples, the transition member 122, 132 is radially offset outwardly from the rotor shaft 105 so that no direct contact is made between the transition member 122, 132 and the rotor shaft 105. In certain implementations, the transition member 122, 132 is press-fit into the surrounding housing or otherwise mounted so that axial movement of the transition member 122, 132 along the rotor shaft 105 is inhibited absent an external force. The friction between the transition member 122, 132 and the surrounding housing is sufficient to overcome the force applied to the first axial extension 124, 134 by biasing member 120 absent an external force.

[0034] The transition member 122, 132 is axially movable along the rotor shaft 105 between the first position and the second position upon the application of an external force. In certain implementations, the transition member 122, 132 is configured to be manually moved to the second position. For example, the transition member 122, 132 may define a groove 126, 136, notch, or aperture that aligns with an opening 109 defined in the rotary device housing 101. A tool T can be inserted into the sealing chamber 111 through the opening 109 and slotted or keyed into the groove 126, 136, notch, or aperture (e.g., see FIG. 7). A technician can move the tool T along a direction M to push, pull, or otherwise move the transition member 122, 132 to the second position. In certain implementations, the opening 109 enables the tool T to access the transition member 122, 132 without disassembling the rotary device 100.

[0035] In use, the rotary device 100 can be operated while the sealing arrangement 110 is disposed in the initial configuration. In such a configuration, the first seal member 112 contacts the rotor shaft 105 to inhibit leakage of oil or another lubricant from the bearing chamber 102. Accordingly, the sealing lip 116 of the first seal member 112 is worn down over time through frictional contact with the rotor shaft 105. The sealing lip 116 of the second seal member 114 is held off the rotor shaft 105, thereby inhibiting wear and tear on the sealing lip 116 of the second seal member 114.

[0036] After a predetermined period of use of the rotary device 100, a technician may move the transition member 122, 132 to transition the sealing arrangement 110 to the subsequent configuration. In the subsequent configuration, the second seal member 114 is actuated to begin sealing against leakage from the bearing chamber 102. Accordingly, a new seal against such leakage is provided without a need to directly access either seal member. The fresh seal mitigates the risk of oil or other lubrication crossing int the rotary chamber 104 and then into the overall system (e.g., a fuel cell system, an internal combustion engine system, etc.). Further, a new seal against such leakage is provided without replacing any seal members. In certain examples, the transition occurs around the half-life of the rotary device 100.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the sealing arrangement 110 can be configured so that the first seal member 112 is de-actuated when the second seal member 114 is actuated. For example, the transition member 132 may also include a second axial extension 138 that faces towards the first seal member 112. When the transition member 132 is disposed in the first position, the second axial extension 138 is axially spaced from the sealing lip 116 of the first seal member 112 (e.g., see FIG. 10). When the transition member 132 is disposed in the second position, however, the second axial extension 138 is disposed between the sealing lip 116 of the first seal member 112 and the rotor shaft 105 (e.g., see FIG. 11). The second axial extension138 moves the sealing lip 116 of the first seal member 112 off the rotor shaft 105 so that only one seal applies friction to the rotor shaft 105. Accordingly, by disengaging the first seal 112 from the rotor shaft 105, no additional power need be applied to the rotor shaft 105 to maintain the same rotation. Further, damage to the first seal 112 (e.g., shredding) through continued wear and tear is avoided.

[0038] In certain implementations, the second axial extension 138 is tapered or contoured to thin out as the second axial extension 138 extends towards the first seal member 112. The taper or contour assists the second axial extension 138 to slide between the sealing lip 116 of the first seal 112 and the rotor shaft 105 when the transition member 132 is moved to the second position. In certain examples, the second axial extension 138 has a different shape from the first axial extension 134. In certain examples, the second axial extension 138 has a sharper taper or contour compared to the first axial extension 134.

[0039] Example implementations of the above inventive concepts are further described in the below aspects of the disclosure:

[0040] Aspect 1. A compressor comprising:

[0041] a housing having a bearing chamber and a fluid chamber;

[0042] a rotor shaft that extends from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber, the rotor shaft being configured to impart rotation on a rotor mounted to the rotor shaft;

[0043] a seal arrangement disposed between the bearing chamber and the fluid chamber, the seal arrangement comprising:

[0044] a first seal disposed about the rotor shaft and configured to seal against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber;

[0045] a second seal disposed about the rotor shaft; and

[0046] a transition member disposed about the rotor shaft, the transition member being configured to move axially along the rotor shaft between first and second positions,

[0047] wherein, when the transition member is disposed in the first position, the second seal is disposed in a deactuated configuration in which the second seal does not seal between the bearing chamber and the fluid chamber; and

[0048] wherein, when the transition member is disposed in the second position, the second seal is disposed in an actuated configuration in which the second seal is configured to seal against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber.

[0049] Aspect 2. The compressor of aspect 1, wherein the transition member holds the second seal in the deactuated configuration when the transition member is disposed in the first position.

[0050] Aspect 3. The compressor of aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the second seal is biased towards the actuated configuration.

[0051] Aspect 4. The compressor of any of aspects 1-3, wherein the transition member is configured to deactuate the first seal when the transition member is moved to the second position.

[0052] Aspect 5. The compressor of aspect 1, wherein the housing defines an opening leading to the seal arrangement.

[0053] Aspect 6. The compressor of aspect 5, further comprising a tool configured to be inserted through the opening and engaged with the transition member to move the transition member between the first and second positions.

[0054] Aspect 7. The compressor of aspect 6, wherein the transition member defines a groove aligned with the opening, the groove being configured to receive the tool when the tool is engaged with the transition member.

[0055] Aspect 8. A method of increasing a life expectancy of a compressor, the method comprising:

[0056] operating a compressor with a seal arrangement in a first state, wherein a first seal member seals between a bearing chamber and a rotorary chamber when the seal arrangement is configured in the first state; and

[0057] transitioning the seal arrangement to a second state without disassembling the compressor, wherein a second seal member seals between the bearing chamber and the rotary chamber when the seal arrangement is configured in the second state.

[0058] Aspect 9. The method of aspect 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement comprises inserting a tool into the compressor to move a transition member between the first and second seal members.

[0059] Aspect 10. The method of aspect 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement comprises deactuating the first seal member.

[0060] Aspect 11. The method of aspect 9, wherein inserting the tool comprises inserting the tool into an externally-facing notch defined by the transition member.

[0061] Aspect 12. The method of aspect 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement is implemented at a half-life of the compressor.

[0062] Aspect 13. The method of aspect 8, wherein the first seal member contacts a rotor shaft to inhibit leakage of oil or another lubricant from the bearing chamber.

[0063] Aspect 14. The method of aspect 13, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement to the second state comprises sliding the transition member along the rotor shaft away from the second seal member.

[0064] Aspect 15. A device comprising:

[0065] a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being configured to receive a fluid;

[0066] a seal chamber disposed between the first and second chambers;

[0067] a seal arrangement disposed within the seal chamber, the seal arrangement comprising:

[0068] a first seal configured to seal against the fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber when actuated;

[0069] a second seal configured to seal against the fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber when actuated; and

[0070] a transition member configured to move between first and second positions, the transition member deactuating the second seal when disposed in the first position, and the transition member enabling actuation of the second seal when disposed in the second position.

[0071] Aspect 16. The device of aspect 15, wherein the transition member deactuates the first seal when disposed in the second position.

[0072] Aspect 17. The device of aspect 15, wherein the transition member is accessible from an exterior of the device without disassembling the device.

[0073] Aspect 18. The device of aspect 15, wherein the second seal is biased towards the actuated configuration.

[0074] Aspect 19. The device of any of aspects 15-18, further comprising a shaft passing between the first and second chambers, wherein the first seal, the second seal, and the transition member are disposed about the shaft, and the wherein the transition member includes a first axial extension that extends between a sealing lip of the second seal and the shaft when the transition member is disposed in the first position.

[0075] Aspect 20. The device of aspect 19, wherein the transition member includes a second axial extension that extends between a sealing lip of the first seal and the shaft when the transition member is disposed in the second position.

[0076] Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A compressor comprising: a housing having a bearing chamber and a fluid chamber; a rotor shaft that extends from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber, the rotor shaft being configured to impart rotation on a rotor mounted to the rotor shaft; a seal arrangement disposed between the bearing chamber and the fluid chamber, the seal arrangement comprising: a first seal disposed about the rotor shaft and configured to seal against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber; a second seal disposed about the rotor shaft; and a transition member disposed about the rotor shaft, the transition member being configured to move axially along the rotor shaft between first and second positions, wherein, when the transition member is disposed in the first position, the second seal is disposed in a deactuated configuration in which the second seal does not seal between the bearing chamber and the fluid chamber; and wherein, when the transition member is disposed in the second position, the second seal is disposed in an actuated configuration in which the second seal is configured to seal against fluid passing from the bearing chamber to the fluid chamber.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the transition member is configured to deactuate the first seal when the transition member is moved to the second position.

3. The compressor of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second seal is biased towards the actuated configuration.

4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the transition member holds the second seal in the deactuated configuration when the transition member is disposed in the first position.

5. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an opening leading to the seal arrangement.

6. The compressor of claim 5, further comprising a tool configured to be inserted through the opening and engaged with the transition member to move the transition member between the first and second positions.

7. The compressor of claim 6, wherein the transition member defines a groove aligned with the opening, the groove being configured to receive the tool when the tool is engaged with the transition member.

8. A method of increasing a life expectancy of a compressor, the method comprising: operating a compressor with a seal arrangement in a first state, wherein a first seal member seals between a bearing chamber and a rotorary chamber when the seal arrangement is configured in the first state; and transitioning the seal arrangement to a second state without disassembling the compressor, wherein a second seal member seals between the bearing chamber and the rotary chamber when the seal arrangement is configured in the second state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement comprises inserting a tool into the compressor to move a transition member between the first and second seal members.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein inserting the tool comprises inserting the tool into an externally-facing notch defined by the transition member.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement comprises deactuating the first seal member.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement is implemented at a half-life of the compressor.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first seal member contacts a rotor shaft to inhibit leakage of oil or another lubricant from the bearing chamber.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transitioning the seal arrangement to the second state comprises sliding the transition member along the rotor shaft away from the second seal member.

15. A device compri sing : a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being configured to receive a fluid; a seal chamber disposed between the first and second chambers; a seal arrangement disposed within the seal chamber, the seal arrangement comprising: a first seal configured to seal against the fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber when actuated; a second seal configured to seal against the fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber when actuated; and a transition member configured to move between first and second positions, the transition member deactuating the second seal when disposed in the first position, and the transition member enabling actuation of the second seal when disposed in the second position.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the transition member deactuates the first seal when disposed in the second position.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the transition member is accessible from an exterior of the device without disassembling the device.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the second seal is biased towards the actuated configuration.

19. The device of any of claims 15-18, further comprising a shaft passing between the first and second chambers, wherein the first seal, the second seal, and the transition member are disposed about the shaft, and the wherein the transition member includes a first axial extension that extends between a sealing lip of the second seal and the shaft when the transition member is disposed in the first position.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the transition member includes a second axial extension that extends between a sealing lip of the first seal and the shaft when the transition member is disposed in the second position.

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