Balancing Part Axial Force Compensation Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balancing drums in centrifugal flow machines suffer from leakage and inadequate balancing performance, leading to inefficiencies and potential overheating, which cannot completely eliminate the need for thrust bearings.
Innovation Solution
An assembly with a rotationally symmetrical balancing part, featuring equal-sized axial ends and mechanical slide ring seals, utilizes pressurized barrier fluid to minimize leakage and stabilize axial force balancing, while a fluid circulation channel cools the system and reduces pressure differences across seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a clearance gap is arranged between the balancing drum and the housing to provide flow restriction, then axial force balancing is improved, but process fluid leaks through the gap reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing drum is divided into a first balancing drum and a second balancing drum connected by a connecting piece, creating separate sealing zones. This segmentation allows each section to be independently sealed against the housing, preventing fluid leakage through the gap while maintaining the flow restriction needed for axial force balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-rotating sealing element (intermediary) is introduced between the balancing drum and the housing. This sealing element acts as a mediator that blocks fluid passage through the clearance gap while still allowing the balancing drum to rotate freely, thus preventing leakage without compromising the balancing function.
2Loss of substance
If mechanical seals are used to seal the balancing drum, then fluid leakage is reduced, but the seals experience overheating
Solution Approach 1:
A non-rotating sealing element is introduced as an intermediary between the balancing drum and the housing. This element provides effective sealing to prevent fluid leakage while its non-rotating nature and thermal conductivity properties help dissipate heat, preventing overheating of the sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element's material properties are selected to have appropriate thermal conductivity to dissipate heat from the sealing interface. By changing the thermal parameters of the sealing system, the solution prevents overheating while maintaining effective sealing against fluid leakage.
3Force
If the balancing drum design is modified to improve balancing performance, then axial force compensation is enhanced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing drum is segmented into multiple sections (first balancing drum, connecting piece, second balancing drum) that can be independently designed and assembled. This segmentation allows for optimized axial force compensation in each section while maintaining overall structural clarity and ease of manufacture, reducing the perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second balancing drums, provides additional sealing surfaces, and contributes to axial force balancing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while enhancing balancing 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 solution effectively balances axial forces with minimal leakage, increases operational lifetime of seals, and maintains stability under pressure changes, reducing the need for thrust bearings in multi-stage centrifugal pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a first mechanical slide ring sealing arranged between the balancing part and the housing at the first axial end, a second mechanical slide ring sealing arranged between the balancing part and the housing at the second axial end
Implementation Method 2
a first fluid communication port opening into the intermediate space, the first fluid communication port being connected to a source of pressurized barrier fluid
Implementation Method 3
a fluid circulation channel connecting the first fluid communication port and the second communication port with each other
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a housing, a shaft rotatably around the housing, a rotationally symmetrical balancing part arranged coaxially with the shaft, the balancing part having first and second axial ends, a first mechanical slide ring sealing between the balancing part and the housing at the first axial end, a second mechanical slide ring sealing between the balancing part and the housing at the second axial end, the first and the second mechanical slide ring sealings sealing an intermediate space, extending axially between the mechanical slide ring sealings, the intermediate space bordered by the slide ring sealings, the balancing part and the housing, and a first fluid communication port opening into the intermediate space, the first fluid communication port connected to a source of pressurized barrier fluid, and the first and second axial ends having a first and second radii, the first radius being equal to the second radius.