Annular Seal Structure for Misalignment and Runout Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current annular seals fail to meet stringent operational standards in terms of sealing efficiency and durability, particularly under varying temperatures and pressures, and are challenged by shaft-housing misalignment and runout issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an annular body with a recess containing energizing elements of different unit loads and a resilient ring, which contacts all energizing elements, allowing for adaptive sealing and enhanced flexibility to manage misalignment and runout, while maintaining effective sealing across a range of temperatures and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional annular seals are used, then the structure is simple, but sealing efficiency deteriorates under varying temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple segments including an annular body, multiple energizing elements, and a resilient ring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall sealing efficiency while managing complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates dynamic elements including multiple energizing elements with different unit loads and a resilient ring that can deform and adapt. This dynamic configuration enables the seal to respond to varying temperatures and pressures, maintaining sealing efficiency under changing operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid seal structures are used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but adaptability to misalignment and runout deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient ring acts as a flexible element that can deform to accommodate shaft-housing misalignment and runout. This flexibility allows the seal to adapt to dimensional variations and misalignments without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The energizing elements are designed with different unit loads to create varying contact pressures at different locations. This parameter variation enables the seal to adapt to misalignment conditions by distributing contact forces optimally across the sealing interface.
3Reliability
If uniform energizing elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing performance under varying conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different energizing elements are assigned different unit loads based on their specific locations and functional requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each energizing element provides the appropriate contact pressure for its specific sealing zone, improving overall sealing durability under varying temperatures and pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration of energizing elements with varying unit loads creates a gradient of contact pressures that adapts to different operating conditions. This parameter change strategy enhances sealing durability by maintaining optimal contact forces across the entire sealing interface despite environmental variations.
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
This configuration achieves low leakage rates and effective sealing across a broad temperature and pressure range, with the ability to adapt to misalignment and runout, significantly improving sealing efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient ring, which contacts all energizing elements, allowing for adaptive sealing and enhanced flexibility
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of energizing elements disposed within a recess formed between the inner and outer sidewalls. At least two adjacent energizing elements of the plurality of energizing elements can have different unit loads as compared to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A seal comprising: an annular body defining an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall extending from a base; and a plurality of energizing elements disposed within a recess between the inner and outer sidewalls, wherein at least two adjacent energizing elements of the plurality of energizing elements have different unit loads as compared to one another, and wherein the at least two adjacent energizing elements contact the inner sidewall.