Centrifugal Separator Seal Assembly for Easier Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators face challenges in maintaining and accessing their sealing arrangements, which complicates maintenance and increases operational difficulties due to complex designs and hard-to-reach seal components.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design featuring a stationary liquid passage device with separable seal members that form concentric seals around the rotational axis, allowing for easy access and maintenance by releasing the device as a unit, along with resilient members for alignment and cooling systems to ensure effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seal assemblies are arranged axially separated in the centrifugal separator, then sealing of multiple liquid paths is achieved, but maintenance becomes complicated and seals are difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated seal assembly. The first and second seal members are arranged axially adjacent to each other within the same housing, allowing both seals to be accessed and maintained together through a single access point, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining reliable sealing of multiple liquid paths
2Reliability
If seal members are integrated into the housing structure, then sealing is provided, but disassembly into many parts is required to access stationary sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seal assembly from the housing structure, allowing the seal members to be independently accessed. The first and second seal members are positioned such that they can be accessed through a single access opening without disassembling the entire housing, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing stability
3Reliability
If inlet seal and outlet seals are axially spaced apart by large distance, then sealing of different liquid paths is achieved, but assembly and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the first and second seal members in a nested configuration where they are axially adjacent within the same housing space. This nested arrangement allows both seals to be positioned at different axial locations to cover different liquid paths while maintaining compact overall dimensions, thereby improving ease of manufacture and assembly
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 design simplifies maintenance by providing easily accessible and adjustable seals, reducing operational complexity and enhancing the reliability of the sealing mechanism, thus improving the overall performance and longevity of the centrifugal separator.
Implementation Method 1
a first seal between the first liquid path and the second liquid path, the first seal extending concentrically with and around the rotational axis. The sealing arrangement comprises a first seal between the first liquid path and the second liquid path
Implementation Method 2
a second seal between the second liquid path and a space radially outside the second liquid path, the second seal extending concentrically with and around the rotational axis
Implementation Method 3
A fluid feed mixture is fed into the separation space and the disc stack and is separated into at least a light fluid phase and a heavy fluid phase during rotation of the bowl
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal separator includes a bowl, a housing, a stationary liquid passage device, and a sealing arrangement. A first axial end face of a first seal member is arranged in the stationary liquid passage device and a first sealing surface is arranged in the bowl. A second axial end face of a second seal member is arranged in the stationary liquid passage device and a second sealing surface is arranged in the bowl. The respective end faces and surfaces are positioned in sealing abutment. The second seal member is separate from the first seal member and the first and second seal members are separable from the first and second sealing surfaces with a release of the stationary liquid passage device from the housing.