Coated Inter-Ring Plate for Low-Wear Ring Seal Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring seal systems experience significant wear and failure due to friction and heat generated between metal sealing surfaces, leading to frequent replacements and lubricant oil replenishment, which is costly and causes machine downtime.
Innovation Solution
A plate is inserted between ring assemblies, coated with materials like HVOF, HVAF, ADLC, or nitride-based coatings to form seals with matching hardness and friction coefficients, reducing wear and heat, and affixed to the assemblies to prevent direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ring seal systems are used, then sealing function is provided, but bacterial growth and fouling occur in the annular space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic annular space between the stationary and rotating rings by implementing direct contact sealing. The sealing surfaces are brought into direct contact, eliminating the void space where bacteria could grow and foul accumulate, while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of direct contact between rings into a benefit by using it to eliminate the annular space problem. The direct contact not only seals the interface but simultaneously prevents bacterial growth and fouling by removing the annular environment that enables these harmful factors.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If direct contact between stationary and rotating rings is implemented, then bacterial growth and fouling are prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sealing interface by establishing direct contact between rings. This parameter change eliminates the annular space, preventing bacterial growth and fouling, while the design accounts for the resulting manufacturing precision requirements through appropriate surface preparation and material selection.
3Reliability
If multiple separate sealing components are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the inherent interface between the stationary ring and rotating ring assemblies. By utilizing the natural contact interface of these components, the sealing function is integrated without requiring additional separate sealing elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary ring and rotating ring assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, maintain mechanical integrity, and simultaneously create the sealing interface through direct contact. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated sealing components, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The ring seal system may include a second ring assembly (206-2) that includes a second sealing surface. The ring seal system may include a plate (214), between the first ring assembly and the second ring assembly, that includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The ring seal system may include a coating on the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The first contact surface may be mechanically connected to the first sealing surface to form a first seal with the first sealing surface. The second contact surface may be mechanically connected to the second sealing surface form a second seal with the second sealing surface.