Agitator Shaft Temporary Sealing for In-Place Seal Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agitator solutions for fluid mixing in the wood-processing and chemical industries are complex and lack simplicity and reliability in providing a temporary seal for the drive shaft to prevent fluid leakage during seal failures.
Innovation Solution
An agitator assembly with a movable blocking part and force transmission means, such as push and pull bars, that creates a temporary seal around the shaft lead-through by axial movement, allowing for a liquid-tight space to be formed without emptying the vessel, enabling the servicing or replacement of the actual seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex auxiliary sealing devices with multiple components (wedges, rings, pull bars) are used to temporarily seal the shaft, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary sealing device is divided into three functional segments: a blocking part that forms the seal, a force transmission means that enables movement, and a controlling means that activates the sealing action. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing overall complexity compared to integrated multi-component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking part is designed to automatically form a temporary seal when moved axially by the force transmission means, without requiring additional sealing elements or complex mechanisms. The device uses the existing shaft and housing structures to create the seal, making the system self-sufficient and reducing component count.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shaft sealing failure occurs, then fluid leakage increases, but the volume of leaked fluid becomes unacceptably large for big vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary sealing device is pre-positioned in the housing and can be rapidly activated to seal the shaft before significant fluid leakage occurs. The force transmission means is pre-configured to enable quick axial movement of the blocking part, allowing operators to respond to sealing failures immediately and prevent large-volume leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides a backup sealing mechanism that acts as a safety cushion against catastrophic leakage. By having the auxiliary seal ready in advance and capable of rapid deployment, the system cushions against the harmful effects of primary seal failure, limiting fluid loss to minimal amounts during the transition period.
3Ease of operation
If the blocking part is made movable in axial direction with simple structure, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission means acts as an intermediary between the controlling means and the blocking part, translating control inputs into precise axial movements. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the blocking part moves reliably to the correct position to form an effective seal, maintaining sealing effectiveness while keeping the operation simple through automated or semi-automated actuation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Invention relates to an agitator assembly (10) comprising an agitator body (16) configured to be attached to a wall (12) of a vessel or a tank (14), and a shaft (22) having an axial direction, the shaft (22) being rotatably assembled to the agitator body (16) and extending through a lead-through (28) in the agitator body (16) into the vessel or the tank (14), when assembled for use, and further a sealing (30) configured to seal the rotatable shaft (22). The agitator assembly (10) further comprises a blocking part (32) arranged to f the agitator body (16) provided with a shaft opening (34) through which the shaft (22) is arranged to extend, and the blocking part (32) is movable in axial direction, and the blocking part (32) and the shaft (22) are provided with mating surfaces (36, 38) which, when brought together by the axial movement of the blocking part (32), provides a temporary seal between the blocking part (32) and the shaft (22), and the blocking part (32) provides a closed space (31) to the agitator body (16) around the lead-through (28).