Annular Seal Assembly with Pressure Balancing Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure reciprocating pumps and compressors face significant wear and poor lubrication issues due to the high forces exerted on seal rings, leading to short seal life, and existing modifications are complex and difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An annular seal assembly comprising a tangentially-cut ring assembly with a plurality of arcuate segments and radially-cut ring assembly, featuring passages that extend from the outer to the inner peripheral face, providing pressure balancing and improved wear resistance, and a retention mechanism to bias the seal toward the reciprocating rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seal rings are used in very high pressure service, then sealing capability is improved, but force on reciprocating rod increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure balancing holes that allow high pressure fluid to enter the seal ring, converting the harmful high pressure force into a beneficial counterbalancing force that reduces net force on the reciprocating rod while maintaining sealing capability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pressure balancing modifications are implemented, then wear is reduced and seal life is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is divided into multiple segments with pressure balancing holes positioned at specific locations, allowing the pressure balancing function to be achieved through simple geometric segmentation rather than complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves pressure balancing by changing geometric parameters (hole diameter, hole position, hole pattern) rather than introducing complex mechanical components, making the solution easier to manufacture while maintaining effectiveness
3Duration of action of stationary object
If pressure balancing modifications are implemented, then wear is reduced and seal life is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is divided into multiple segments with pressure balancing holes positioned at specific locations, allowing the pressure balancing function to be achieved through simple geometric segmentation rather than complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves pressure balancing by changing geometric parameters (hole diameter, hole position, hole pattern) rather than introducing complex mechanical components, making the solution easier to manufacture while maintaining effectiveness
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 enhances sealing characteristics, reduces wear, and extends seal life while being easier to manufacture and assemble, with improved pressure balancing and wear resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the tangentially-cut ring assembly (30) having a plurality of passages (70) extending from the outer peripheral face (37) of the tangentially-cut ring assembly (30) to within at least 1.0 mm of the inner peripheral face (38) of the tangentially-cut ring assembly (30)
Implementation Method 2
the retention means (36, 47) is an annular spring
Data Source
AI summary
An annular seal assembly for use in a fluid mover, such as a compressor, having a tangentially-cut ring assembly and a radially-cut ring assembly, each ring assembly having arcuate segments, where each arcuate segment of the tangentially-cut ring assembly has a plurality of passages extending from the outer peripheral face to within at least 1.0 mm of the inner peripheral face, wherein after wearing in of the seal, the passages extend through the tangentially-cut ring assembly for pressure balancing.