Asymmetric Annular Seal Lips for Cyclic Pressure Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals face challenges in maintaining minimal leakage under varying pressure and temperature conditions, particularly in applications like UHPLC and HPLC pumps, where they experience wear and leakage issues due to cyclic pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A seal design featuring an annular jacket with a first lip having an arcuate exterior portion and a second lip with a rectilinear exterior portion and tapered edge, along with an annular energizer disposed within the recess, which provides biasing forces to maintain sealing effectiveness across broader pressure and temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used in cyclic pressure conditions, then they can operate in pressure environments, but they experience wear and leakage issues over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the seal lips, specifically creating an asymmetric configuration where the first lip has a different profile than the second lip. This parameter change allows the seal to better accommodate cyclic pressure variations, distributing wear more evenly and maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal employs asymmetric lip design where the first lip and second lip have different geometries. The first lip includes a first surface and the second lip includes a second surface with different angles and profiles. This asymmetry enables each lip to optimize its contact and sealing performance under different pressure conditions, reducing overall wear and extending service life.
2Reliability
If seals operate under strict pressure requirements, then they can maintain minimal leakage, but they face wear issues during pressure cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing surfaces, specifically the angles and profiles of the first and second lips. By optimizing these parameters, the seal maintains effective contact under pressure while reducing stress concentration points that would otherwise lead to wear during pressure cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal lips are designed with different geometric qualities. The first lip has a first surface profile optimized for one direction of pressure, while the second lip has a second surface profile optimized for the opposite direction. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific sealing function while minimizing wear in that particular area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If seals are designed for broader temperature ranges, then they can operate in more environments, but maintaining sealing effectiveness becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design incorporates parameter changes in the lip geometries that account for thermal expansion and material property variations across temperature ranges. The asymmetric profiles are designed to maintain optimal contact pressure and sealing geometry even when thermal effects cause dimensional changes in the seal and mating surfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The seal assembly effectively reduces leakage and extends the lifetime of components by distributing forces to minimize repeat compression and stress, ensuring effective sealing in both low and high cyclic pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an annular energizer disposed within the annular recess, adjacent to at least one of the first lip and the second lip
Data Source
AI summary
A seal including: an annular jacket including a body including a first lip, and a second lip defining an annular recess, the first lip including an arcuate exterior portion, the second lip including a rectilinear exterior portion and a rectilinear, tapered edge; and an annular energizer disposed within the annular recess, adjacent to at least one of the first lip and the second lip.