Hydraulic Cylinder Buffer Seal Backup Ring for Abrasive Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic cylinders in aggressive applications, such as earthmoving equipment, often experience seal failure due to abrasive materials penetrating past seals and causing damage to annular grooves, leading to leaks and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly for hydraulic cylinders that includes an annular buffer seal with a unique notch design and a mating annular backup ring, which together provide enhanced sealing and resistance to wear and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used in aggressive applications, then the sealing function is provided, but the seals are damaged by abrasive materials causing leakage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a primary seal for sealing, a buffer seal with notch for abrasive material collection, and a backup ring for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while protecting the overall system from abrasive damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer seal with its annular notch acts as an intermediary element between the abrasive environment and the primary seal. It captures and contains abrasive particles in the notch, preventing them from reaching and damaging the primary seal and annular groove, thus mediating the harmful interaction.
2Reliability
If seals are positioned to prevent leakage, then sealing is achieved, but contaminants become imbedded in the seal face causing groove damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful abrasive contaminants are extracted from the sealing interface by capturing them in the annular notch of the buffer seal. This removes the contaminants from the contact surface between the seal and the annular groove, preventing them from being imbedded and causing damage to the groove surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The abrasive contaminants that would normally cause damage are converted into a beneficial function by using them as a sacrificial element in the buffer seal's notch. The notch captures and contains these contaminants, allowing the primary seal and groove to remain clean and undamaged, thus converting the harmful abrasive action into a protective mechanism.
3Productivity
If conventional sealing arrangements are used, then basic sealing is provided, but the annular grooves get damaged leading to seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer seal with its annular notch provides beforehand cushioning by capturing abrasive materials before they can reach and damage the primary seal and annular groove. This preventive measure cushions the sealing system against future damage, extending the longevity of the seal assembly and maintaining hydraulic system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for a hydraulic cylinder piston rod includes an annular buffer seal and an annular backup ring. The outer annular seal surface can be spaced farther from the first axial pressure side of the annular buffer seal than the radially inner annular seal surface of the buffer seal such that an annular notch is formed around an inner diameter of the annular buffer seal on the second axial seal side of the annular buffer seal. The annular backup ring can include a radially extending leg portion extending along substantially an entire radial extent of the radially outer annular seal surface of the annular buffer seal, and an axially extending leg portion extending axially into the annular notch formed around the inner diameter of the annular buffer seal on the second axial seal side of the annular buffer seal.