Bulk Material Seal Groove Fixation for Low-Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk material conveyance systems face challenges in achieving a reliable seal, particularly at low delivery pressures, leading to potential contamination and seal wear due to abrasion, and complex constructions required for pressurized seals.

Innovation Solution

A sealing arrangement featuring a fixing rod that mechanically clamps a sealing element in a sealing groove, providing a robust and uncomplicated fixation, suitable for bulk material conveyance systems, including pneumatic and hydraulic systems, ensuring reliable sealing against both bulk material and water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is pressed into a seal groove using pressure forces, then sealing reliability is improved, but higher contact pressure causes seal abrasion and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidseal service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is pre-fixed in the sealing groove using a fixing rod before pressurization occurs. This preliminary mechanical fixation ensures the seal remains in position during switching operations and low-pressure conditions, preventing bulk material entry and seal displacement without requiring high contact pressure that would cause wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the seal contact pressure is increased to prevent bulk material entry, then sealing reliability is improved, but seal abrasion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidseal abrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing rod provides preliminary mechanical fixation of the seal in the sealing groove, ensuring the seal is held in position before pressurization. This prevents bulk material from entering the sealing groove during switching operations, eliminating the need for high contact pressure and thereby preventing seal abrasion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If complex pressure channels are used to apply pressure to the seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidbulk material diverter design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing rod provides preliminary mechanical fixation of the seal in the sealing groove, ensuring the seal is held in position before pressurization occurs. This simple mechanical fixation method eliminates the need for complex pressure channels while maintaining sealing reliability, as the seal is already securely positioned and cannot be displaced by bulk material or pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4495035A1Sealing arrangement and assembly for bulk material transport having such a sealing arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 COPERION GMBH
  • EP4495035A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495035A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495035A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sealing arrangement for a bulk material conveying assembly comprises a housing (2) with a bulk material feed opening (3) and with at least one bulk material discharge opening (4, 5), a movement component (6) displaceably arranged in the housing (2), and a sealing groove (28) formed on the housing (2) or on the movement component (6), in which at least one sealing element (29, 30; 29a) is arranged, wherein the at least one sealing element (29, 30; 29a) has a sealing cross-section with an outer contour (34) that is at least partially concave, and a fixing rod (38; 38a) with which the at least one sealing element (29, 30; 29a) is held in the sealing groove (28; 28a), wherein the fixing rod (38; 38a) bears against the concave outer contour (34) at least partially.