Annular Seal for Waste Processing Machine Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste treatment machines face challenges in ensuring effective sealing of the tank bottom, which can lead to abrasive, sharp, and corrosive waste infiltrating the rotating drive mechanism, and obstructing gas effluent discharge.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device is proposed, featuring a shaft with an annular part and a bottom wall with an annular groove, housing an annular seal that provides double support, limiting liquid waste circulation and incorporating elastic support means and an annular shim for wear compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a shaft passes through the bottom wall to carry a rotating blade for grinding waste, then the waste treatment function is improved, but the risk of waste infiltrating the rotating drive mechanism through sealing interfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into multiple functional segments: an annular seal element, an annular stator element, and an annular rotor element. Each segment performs a specific sealing function at different interfaces, creating a multi-layered sealing system that prevents waste infiltration while accommodating the rotating shaft passage through the bottom wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular seal element acts as an intermediary component between the rotating shaft and the tank bottom wall. It creates a sealed interface that allows rotational motion while preventing waste infiltration. The seal element mediates between the need for mechanical rotation and the requirement for hermetic sealing.
2Productivity
If the shaft and blade assembly is used for grinding waste, then waste processing capability is improved, but abrasive and corrosive waste may obstruct gas effluent discharge openings
Solution Approach 1:
The gas effluent discharge opening is extracted from the side wall and repositioned to the top wall of the tank. This spatial separation removes the discharge path from the zone where ground waste accumulates, preventing obstruction while maintaining effective waste processing capability in the bottom region.
3Device complexity
If a simple seal interface is used between the shaft and bottom wall, then device complexity is reduced, but the seal may wear out quickly due to friction from liquid waste circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal interface incorporates localized quality variations through different materials and geometric profiles. The annular seal element uses materials with appropriate friction characteristics for the specific contact zones, while the grooves and channels are strategically positioned to manage wear. This localized optimization extends seal lifespan without requiring complete redesign of the entire interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system incorporates dynamic elements including the rotating annular seal element that moves with the shaft, and flexible sealing lips that adapt to wear and thermal expansion. The design allows for dynamic adjustment of sealing contact pressure and position, maintaining effective sealing and extending component life under varying operating conditions.
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 device effectively prevents waste from circulating to critical components, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan of the machine, while also facilitating efficient gas effluent discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the friction of the annular seal on the annular element leads to wear thereof which is compensated by the elastic support means
Implementation Method 2
elastic support means are interposed axially between an annular bottom wall of said annular groove and said annular seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing device, in particular for a machine for treating biological waste, comprising a tank (12), through a bottom wall (24) of which there passes a shaft (42) bearing in rotation, within the tank (12), an annular part (50) comprising at least one first annular channel (68A) that is open toward the wall of the bottom wall (24) and that holds a first annular seal (96A) pressed in the axial direction against an annular element (58) secured to the bottom wall (24) and radially outwardly against a radially outer lateral annular face (78A) of said annular channel (68A).