Angled Seal Lip with Radial Support Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal systems fail to effectively manage high pressure from liquid media, leading to rapid wear and potential impossibility of maintenance, especially in underwater applications, where high forces impair sealing efficiency and make replacement complex or costly.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a radially movable seal lip at an angle, supported by a rigid element that transmits pressure in the radial direction, reducing abrasion and wear on both the seal lip and counter-surface, and incorporating a collection volume for leak detection and redirection of leaking fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal lip is used to seal against high pressure liquid medium, then sealing effect is achieved, but rapid wear and abrasion occur due to high forces
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the seal lip and the housing. This support element absorbs and distributes the high pressure forces from the liquid medium, preventing direct transmission of these forces to the seal lip. The support element acts as a mediator that protects the seal lip from excessive wear while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal lip is designed with a specific angle relative to the radial direction, and the support element is positioned to transmit pressure in the radial direction. This geometric parameter change allows the system to convert axial pressure into radial support forces, reducing the contact pressure on the seal lip and thereby reducing wear.
2Reliability
If seal replacement is performed under high pressure conditions, then sealing reliability is maintained, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct components: the seal element with seal lip, the support element, and the housing. This segmentation allows the seal element to be independently replaced without replacing the entire assembly. The support element remains in the housing and provides continuous structural support, while only the wear-prone seal element needs periodic replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element serves as a permanent intermediary structure that remains in place during maintenance operations. It continues to provide structural support and force distribution even when the seal element is being replaced, making maintenance accessible without compromising the overall structural integrity or requiring complete disassembly.
3Reliability
If seal lip contacts counter-surface under high pressure, then sealing is achieved, but pushing-through in axial direction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as a mediator that provides axial support to the seal lip. It transmits the high pressure forces from the liquid medium in the radial direction, preventing these forces from pushing the seal lip through the housing in the axial direction. This distributes the load and prevents structural failure of the seal lip.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the support element to transmit pressure radially rather than axially, the system changes the force distribution parameters. The seal lip experiences reduced axial compressive forces, preventing pushing-through while maintaining adequate contact pressure for sealing through the angled geometry.
4Strength
If support element has greater rigidity than seal element, then supporting force against contact force is strengthened, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a localized support element that has greater rigidity only where needed to provide supporting force against the contact force on the seal lip. The rest of the housing maintains its original design characteristics. This local reinforcement approach provides the necessary structural support without requiring the entire housing to be manufactured with higher rigidity, thus minimizing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for sealing a space between a housing and a component against a liquid medium includes a seal element fixedly connectable to the housing, the seal element including a seal lip that is movable at least in a radial direction, the seal lip being disposed at an angle with respect to the radial direction and a support element in abutment with the seal lip. The support element and the seal element are configured such that a pressure exerted on the seal lip by the liquid medium is transmittable in the radial direction to the support element, and the seal assembly also includes a further seal assembly on a side of the support element axially opposite the seal element, the further seal assembly including a first seal having a first seal body and a second seal having a second seal body.