Compressor Mass Flow Valve Sealing Structure for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for controlling fluid mass flow in compressing gaseous fluids, such as scroll compressors, are complex, costly to assemble, and prone to leakage due to multiple components and vulcanized membranes, which are unsuitable for high-pressure applications and result in fluid loss.
Innovation Solution
A simplified device with a closure element and receiving element, sealed by O-ring sealing elements, that regulates fluid flow between different pressure levels using compressive forces, minimizing components and assembly steps, and integrating the sealing seat without additional shaping, thus reducing leakage paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional expansion devices with multiple components and vulcanized membranes are used, then fluid mass flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closure element and receiving element into a single integrated component with monolithic construction. The closure element includes integrated sealing surfaces that directly contact the receiving element, eliminating the need for separate vulcanized membranes and multiple sealing components. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable sealing through direct mechanical contact between hardened surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vulcanized membranes from the system by replacing them with direct metal-to-metal or hard-surface sealing between the closure element and receiving element. This removal of vulnerable membrane components eliminates the primary source of leakage while simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing elements and vulcanized membranes are used, then sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the monolithic closure element structure itself, which includes integrated sealing surfaces designed to mate with the receiving element. This eliminates the need for separate sealing components and vulcanization processes, reducing assembly steps to simple mechanical insertion and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is designed with self-aligning sealing surfaces that automatically mate with the receiving element during assembly. The monolithic construction with integrated sealing features allows the component to self-position and create reliable sealing without requiring complex assembly procedures or additional sealing materials.
3Reliability
If vulcanized membranes are used for sealing, then sealing is achieved, but fluid loss and leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes vulcanized membranes from the sealing system and replaces them with direct contact sealing between the closure element and receiving element. This elimination of membrane-based sealing eliminates the permeation and degradation issues that cause fluid loss, providing reliable sealing for high-pressure applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, degradation-prone vulcanized membranes with durable, reusable hard-surface sealing in the monolithic closure element. This substitution eliminates the need for periodic replacement of degraded membranes and prevents fluid loss through membrane permeation or failure.
4Productivity
If conventional control valves with multiple components are used, then flow control is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve functionality is merged into a single monolithic closure element that integrates the flow control mechanism with the sealing structure. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate components, reducing assembly time to a single insertion operation while maintaining full flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic closure element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it controls fluid flow through its closure mechanism, provides sealing through integrated sealing surfaces, and structures the receiving element interface. This multi-functionality in a single component eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for each function.
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
The solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and leak-proof control valve with minimal assembly effort and maintenance costs, ensuring trouble-free operation and maximum service life by reducing the number of components and potential leakage paths.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure level, in particular a back pressure level, and a second pressure level, in particular a high pressure level
Implementation Method 2
The device (1) has a closure element (3) arranged within the housing (2) so as to be translationally movable along a longitudinal axis (3a) with effective surfaces (3b) associated with the fluid connections (2a, 2b). The closure element (3) is designed to control a flow cross-section of a flow path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Device (1) for controlling a fluid mass flow for a compressor from a low-pressure level to a high-pressure level, comprising a housing (2) with fluid ports (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) operating at different pressure levels and a sealing element (3) arranged translationally movable within the housing (2) along a longitudinal axis (3a), the sealing element having effective surfaces associated with the fluid ports (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). The sealing element (3) is designed to control the flow cross-section of a flow path extending between a first fluid port (2a) and a second fluid port (2b). The device (1) includes a receiving element (11) for receiving the sealing element (3).A primary segment (3-1), as a first section of the closure element (3) from the receiving element (11), and a secondary segment (3-2), as a second section of the closure element (3) from the housing (2), as well as the receiving element (11) from the housing (2), are each fully enclosed. Furthermore, the secondary segment (3-2) is sealed to the housing (2) via at least one first sealing element (10-1), and the primary segment (3-1) of the closure element (3) is sealed to the receiving element (11) via at least one second sealing element (10-2), and the receiving element (11) is sealed to the housing (2) via at least one third sealing element (10-3), each in a fluid-tight and pressure-tight manner.