Axial Face Seal Assembly Mounting via Open Ring Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial face seal assemblies for rotary machines require dedicated machining of the drive shaft and may fall out during dismounting, complicating the mounting and replacement procedures, especially in space-constrained environments.
Innovation Solution
An axial face seal assembly secured axially and non-rotatably to a drive shaft using an open ring clamp with adjustable ends, supported by a base member and a compression spring, allowing for axial bias and frictional arrest on a continuous drive shaft surface without additional machining, facilitated by a mounting fixture for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drive pin and key-groove structure is used to secure the seal assembly to the drive shaft, then the seal assembly is securely mounted, but dedicated and accurate machining of the drive shaft is required
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into separate components: a seal carrier, seal rings, and a mounting fixture. This segmentation allows the seal assembly to be manufactured independently and mounted without requiring complex machining of the drive shaft, resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting fixture is introduced as an intermediary tool that facilitates the mounting of the seal assembly onto the drive shaft. The fixture temporarily holds the seal components in the correct position during installation, enabling secure mounting without requiring dedicated machining features on the drive shaft itself
2Reliability
If the seal assembly requires opening the machine housing for replacement, then proper sealing can be ensured, but the complexity and time of maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is pre-assembled on the mounting fixture with all sealing components properly positioned before installation. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the seal assembly is mounted onto the drive shaft, the sealing effectiveness is guaranteed without requiring complex housing operations during maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting fixture is designed to be temporarily attached to the drive shaft during installation and then removed. This dynamic approach allows the seal assembly to be mounted and secured without requiring the machine housing to be opened, enabling quick maintenance while ensuring proper sealing
3Ease of operation
If the seal assembly is designed for axial mounting only, then ease of installation is improved, but the seal assembly may fall out during dismounting
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture combines multiple functions: it holds the seal components in axial alignment during installation, provides a mounting surface for securing the seal assembly to the drive shaft, and prevents the assembly from falling out during dismounting. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction between installation simplicity and retention security
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
Enables secure, easy mounting and dismounting with axial access only, avoiding shaft machining and ensuring proper axial bias, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring which is interposed between the base member and the carrier
Implementation Method 2
an open ring clamp having first end second ends, characterized in that the ring clamp is supported on the base member; at least one of said first and second ends being movable relative to the other end in a circumferential direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
An axial face seal assembly is disclosed, and arranged for co-rotation with a drive shaft in a rotary machine. The seal assembly comprises a seal member (1) which is seated in a carrier (4) to present a sealing end face (2), the carrier being non- rotatably connected to a base member (6) but movable axially thereto and biased from the base member by means of a compression spring (5) which is interposed between the base member and the carrier, the base member being axially and non- rotatably securable to a drive shaft by means of an open ring clamp (7) having first end second ends (17; 18). The ring clamp is supported on the base member, at least one of said first and second ends (17; 18) being movable relative to the other end in a circumferential direction; and wherein tightening means (8) is rotatably journalled on the base member for adjusting the relative distance between the first and second ends of the ring clamp. A mounting fixture (9) is likewise disclosed and cooperating with the seal assembly in a mounting procedure requiring axial access only to the seal assembly.