Annular Seal Ring Structure for Low-Temperature Fluid Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing devices fail to maintain effective sealing performance for fluids in low temperature environments without requiring complex multistage structures.

Innovation Solution

A sealing structure utilizing a single sealing device with a seal ring and an action member that maintains contact of the seal surface in low temperature environments, comprising a support ring to prevent contraction of the seal ring and ensure sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multistage closing structure is provided to maintain sealing performance in low temperature environment, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameters of the sealing components by introducing a temperature-responsive elastic member that alters its elasticity based on temperature changes. In low temperature environments, the elastic member becomes stiffer and maintains higher contact pressure on the seal ring, compensating for thermal contraction and maintaining sealing performance without requiring complex multistage structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary action member (elastic member) that mediates between the seal ring and the sealing groove. This elastic member acts as a temperature-compensating intermediary that automatically adjusts contact pressure based on temperature conditions, eliminating the need for complex multistage closing structures while maintaining reliable sealing in low temperature environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the seal ring contracts in low temperature environment, then sealing performance deteriorates, but adding complex compensation structures increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention exploits the temperature-dependent parameter changes of elastic materials. The elastic member's stiffness and contact pressure parameters automatically change with temperature - becoming stiffer in cold conditions to maintain sealing force - providing a passive, complexity-free compensation for seal ring contraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member provides self-service temperature compensation without requiring external control or complex mechanical structures. It automatically adjusts its mechanical properties in response to temperature changes, self-regulating the contact pressure on the seal ring to maintain sealing performance in varying temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 sealing structure achieves desired sealing performance for fluids in low temperature environments with a simple structure, preventing leakage and maintaining sealing integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the action member is an elastic member which produces elastic force in a direction along the axis line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the action member acts on the seal ring, which contracts in the low temperature environment, so as to maintain contact of the seal surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP4678954A1Sealing structure
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 NOK CORP
  • EP4678954A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678954A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4678954A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sealing structure is provided that can obtain desired sealing performance for a fluid with a simple structure even in a low temperature environment. A sealing structure (1) is a sealing structure for sealing of an annular gap. The sealing structure (1) includes one sealing device (2). One sealing device (2) exhibits desired sealing performance for a fluid even in a low temperature environment. One sealing device (2) has one seal ring (3) which is annular around an axis line (x) and one action member (4) as a member which is annular around the axis line x. The action member (4) is a member which acts on the seal ring (3) and acts such that the seal ring (3) exhibits the desired sealing performance in the low temperature environment.