Annular Sliding Seal Face with Reverse-Rotation Leakage Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding components in mechanical seals experience leakage of sealing target fluid during both normal and reverse rotations, leading to wear and inefficiency in fluid sealing.

Innovation Solution

A sliding component with annular shape, featuring fluid introduction grooves and inclined grooves that generate dynamic pressure, along with concave portions to capture and redirect the sealing target fluid, reducing leakage and wear by maintaining separation between sliding surfaces during both rotations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an inclined groove extends from the inner radial end toward the outer radial side to introduce leakage side fluid, then friction is reduced and leakage is suppressed during normal rotation, but sealing target fluid leaks into the inner space during reverse rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidperformance in both normal and reverse rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: fluid introduction grooves for lubrication, inclined grooves for dynamic pressure generation during normal rotation, and concave portions for fluid capture during reverse rotation. Each segment performs a specific function that addresses the bidirectional rotation requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The concave portion is positioned on the downstream side in the reverse rotation direction to capture sealing target fluid that flows out during reverse rotation. This inverted approach relative to the normal rotation flow direction enables the structure to handle both rotation directions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If sliding surfaces are in contact to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but wear increases due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidservice life of sliding surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined groove generates dynamic pressure through fluid flow during normal rotation, creating a hydrodynamic film that separates the sliding surfaces. This hydraulic lifting effect reduces direct contact and friction while maintaining sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing target fluid acts as an intermediary substance that, when introduced through the fluid introduction groove and pressurized by the inclined groove, forms a lubricating film between the sliding surfaces. This intermediate fluid layer prevents direct metal-to-metal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If fluid introduction groove supplies sealing target fluid for lubrication, then friction is reduced, but sealing target fluid leaks to the leakage side space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoidsealing target fluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The concave portion provides feedback control by capturing excess sealing target fluid that flows out during reverse rotation and redirecting it back to the sealing target fluid side, preventing loss to the leakage side space while maintaining lubrication effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively suppresses wear and leakage of the sealing target fluid by generating dynamic pressure and redirecting it back to the sealing target fluid side, enhancing lubricity and sealing efficiency during both normal and reverse rotations.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of inclined grooves extending from a leakage side toward the sealing target fluid side and configured to generate a dynamic pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

since the sealing target fluid flowing out between the sliding surfaces from the fluid introduction groove is captured by the concave portion on the downstream side in the relative rotation direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid capture and redirection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the sealing target fluid existing in the outer space is introduced into the fluid introduction groove to lubricate the sliding surfaces of the pair of sliding components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS12188516B2Sliding component

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 EAGLE INDS

AI summary

An annular sliding component includes a sliding surface provided with a plurality of fluid introduction grooves communicating with a space on the side of a sealing target fluid and introducing the sealing target fluid and a plurality of inclined grooves extending from a leakage side toward the sealing target fluid and generating a dynamic pressure and the sliding surface of the sliding component is provided with at least a concave portion disposed between adjacent two of the fluid introduction grooves in the circumferential direction.