Asymmetric V-Spring Seal Assembly for Dynamic Sealing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art spring energized seals with V-springs having legs of equal length face challenges in maintaining effective sealing under dynamic conditions due to concentrated loading, leading to increased temperature, seal lip lifting, and reduced sealing force.
Innovation Solution
The use of V-springs with asymmetrical legs, where the long leg extends further than the short leg, is introduced to create a spring cavity within a sealing element, allowing the short leg to provide increased biasing force and stiffness while reducing contact length and mass, thus enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If V-springs with equal length legs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing force is reduced and temperature increases due to concentrated loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the V-spring with legs of unequal lengths. The first leg has a first length and the second leg has a second length that is different from the first length. This asymmetric configuration distributes the loading more effectively across the sealing element, preventing concentrated loading while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The asymmetry allows optimization of force distribution to improve sealing performance without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the leg lengths at specific locations of the V-spring. Rather than making the entire spring structure complex, only the leg lengths are differentiated while maintaining the overall V-spring geometry. This localized modification optimizes the force distribution at the sealing interface without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire component.
2Device complexity
If V-springs with equal length legs are used, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature at sealing interface increases due to concentrated loading
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric leg length configuration distributes the mechanical loading more uniformly across the sealing interface, reducing concentrated stress points that generate excessive heat. This simple geometric modification effectively lowers operating temperature without adding device complexity.
3Device complexity
If V-springs with equal length legs are used, then the structure is simple, but seal lip lifting occurs due to improper force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric leg lengths create a balanced force distribution that prevents seal lip lifting. By carefully selecting different leg lengths, the patent optimizes the mechanical equilibrium at the sealing interface, ensuring reliable sealing performance without complicating the device structure.
4Weight of moving object
If the sealing lip length is reduced, then the mass and inertia are reduced improving dynamic sealing, but the sealing area is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric V-spring configuration compensates for the reduced sealing area by optimizing force distribution. The different leg lengths create a mechanical advantage that concentrates adequate sealing force on the reduced sealing lip area, maintaining effective sealing while reducing mass and inertia for improved dynamic performance.
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 results in lower operating temperatures, reduced seal lip lifting, and increased sealing force, improving the seal's ability to maintain a tight seal during dynamic operations, vibrations, and shocks.
Implementation Method 1
A V-spring shaped energizing component can be placed in the spring cavity. In an example, the V-spring can have a plurality of interconnected V-bodies each with a short leg and a longer leg
Implementation Method 2
a center channel section defining a spring cavity
Data Source
AI summary
V-springs each with a plurality of V-bodies and wherein each V-body has two legs, one shorter than the other. Seal assemblies each with a sealing element having a spring cavity and having a V-spring located therein, the V-spring having a plurality of V-bodies and wherein each V-body each comprising two legs, a long leg that is longer in length than a short leg. The long leg, the short leg, or both long and short legs of the V-bodies can each have one or more bends or inflection points to change a projection of the long leg, the short leg, or both.