Axial Seal Ring With Pressure-Actuated Lips For Large Tolerances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing technologies face challenges in achieving reliable axial seals between parts with high tolerance and overpressure, particularly in applications where radial seals are not feasible due to large distance tolerances and the need for pressurization on one side.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring with two circumferentially arranged sealing lips on one end and a sealing projection on the other, designed to spread apart under fluid pressure to create an axial seal between parts, allowing for reversible sealing and reduced axial load on the surfaces, even with high tolerance differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radial seals are used to seal two parts with large distance tolerances, then sealing reliability is improved, but the application becomes infeasible when distance tolerances are too large for O-rings
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple functional elements: a body portion and at least one sealing lip that can be pressed against the sealing surface. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be separated from the positioning function, enabling the seal to accommodate large distance tolerances while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is designed to be dynamically pressable against the sealing surface of the second component. This dynamic pressing mechanism allows the seal to adapt to varying distance tolerances between components, providing reliable sealing even when tolerances are too large for conventional O-rings.
2Reliability
If axial seal is implemented with pressurization on one side, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but axial load on the sealing surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing pressure is applied locally at the sealing lip interface rather than distributed across the entire sealing surface. This localized pressing concentrates the sealing force where needed while minimizing the overall axial load on the component surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure medium is introduced to act on the sealing lip, enabling it to be pressed against the sealing surface. This pneumatic or hydraulic actuation provides effective sealing through controlled pressure application rather than relying solely on mechanical axial loads.
3Ease of manufacture
If high tolerance between sealing surfaces is present, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but achieving reliable seal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism changes the critical parameter from distance tolerance to contact pressure. By focusing on achieving adequate pressing force at the sealing lip interface rather than requiring tight distance tolerances, the system achieves reliable sealing with more relaxed manufacturing tolerances.
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 provides a reliable and reversible axial seal with minimal axial load on the surfaces, enabling effective sealing in applications with high tolerance differences and overpressure, while allowing for venting and compatibility with existing parts without modification.
Implementation Method 1
two sealing lips (252) which are arranged circumferentially on an axially first end face (242) of the sealing ring and are designed to be able to be spread apart from one another by a first fluid pressure (132) of a first fluid volume into sealing abutment against mutually opposite sealing surfaces of a first of the parts
Implementation Method 2
a sealing projection (254) which is arranged circumferentially on a second end face (244) of the sealing ring and is configured to seal the first fluid volume in a radially inward direction from the sealing projection when in abutting state against a sealing surface of a second of the parts to seal arranged region of a second fluid volume with a second fluid pressure in a region radially outwardly arranged from the sealing projection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a seal ring (106) for axially sealing two parts (102, 104) arranged so as to be able to move axially with respect to one another. The seal ring (106) has two sealing lips which are arranged circumferentially on an axial first end side of the seal ring (106). In this context, the sealing lips are designed such that they can be spread apart from one another by a first fluid pressure of a first fluid volume to bear in a sealing manner against mutually opposing sealing faces of a first (102) of the parts. The seal ring (106) also has a sealing projection which is arranged circumferentially on a second end side of the seal ring (106), oriented axially away from the first end side. In that context, the sealing projection is designed in order, when in a state bearing against a sealing surface of a second (104) of the parts, to seal the first fluid volume in a region (132) arranged radially inward with respect to the sealing projection against a second fluid volume at a second fluid pressure in a region (134) arranged radially outward with respect to the sealing projection.