Carbon Seal O-Ring Cavity Sizing for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon seal assemblies in aircraft and industrial gas turbines face challenges in minimizing fluid leakage due to thermal and pressure effects, particularly in maintaining an effective seal with mating components.
Innovation Solution
A carbon seal assembly design featuring a carbon seal element with specific axial distances and an o-ring configuration, where the ratio of the o-ring's inner step surface distance to its cross-sectional diameter is optimized between 1.60-1.73, reducing fluid leakage by controlling the o-ring's position and dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the o-ring cavity dimensions are not precisely controlled, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific ratio relationship (H1/D2 between 1.60-1.73) between the o-ring cavity axial distance and o-ring cross-sectional diameter. This ratio-based parameter control ensures optimal seal performance while providing a clear manufacturing target that balances precision requirements with manufacturability.
2Reliability
If the o-ring position is not precisely controlled, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the o-ring position parameter H1 (axial distance from first end to inner step surface) by establishing its ratio relationship with the o-ring cross-sectional diameter D2. This ratio control (H1/D2 between 1.60-1.73) precisely determines the o-ring's axial position to ensure effective sealing while providing a manufacturable specification.
3Reliability
If conventional seal designs are used, then device complexity is lower, but fluid leakage remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reduced fluid leakage by optimizing the dimensional parameters of existing seal components rather than introducing fundamentally new seal mechanisms. The specific ratio H1/D2 between 1.60-1.73 transforms conventional seal design into an optimized configuration that significantly reduces leakage without adding complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon seal assembly includes a carbon seal element disposed about a central axis and that extends between a first end and a second end. The carbon seal element includes an inner step surface at an axial distance H1 with regard to the first end. An o-ring is adjacent to the inner step surface. The o-ring includes a cross-section diameter D2 such that a ratio H1/D2 is between 1.60-1.73.