Piston Compressor Seal Arrangement Wear Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal arrangements for piston compressors experience rapid wear and decreased sealing effectiveness due to pressure changes and material deformation, leading to instability and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A seal arrangement featuring two continuous sealing rings and a deformable ring carrier, where the rings are designed to displace oppositely for wear compensation without gaps, and the ring carrier can adjust its diameter to maintain contact with the piston rod, transitioning from a friction seal to a gap seal when maximum wear is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If segmented sealing rings or single-part sealing rings with ring gaps are used, then wear compensation can be achieved through elastic/plastic deformation, but the sealing effect rapidly decreases and instability occurs under pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple segments that can independently displace axially. Each segment is separated by radial gaps allowing independent movement. This segmentation enables the sealing ring to adapt to pressure changes while maintaining continuous sealing contact with the piston rod, resolving the contradiction between reliability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where segments can move axially in response to pressure changes. The radial gaps between segments allow dynamic adjustment of each segment's position, enabling the sealing ring to maintain sealing effectiveness under varying pressure conditions while remaining stable.
2Reliability
If elastic or plastic deformation is used for wear compensation in single-part sealing rings, then the sealing effect is maintained, but unequal material removal occurs and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sealing ring, each segment can displace axially independently to compensate for wear uniformly. The radial gaps between segments allow equal material removal across all segments, preventing the unequal wear that occurs in single-part rings and thereby reducing overall material loss while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented sealing ring automatically compensates for wear through axial displacement of segments without requiring external adjustment. Each segment self-adjusts its position based on wear conditions, maintaining uniform contact pressure and equal material removal, thereby preserving sealing effect while minimizing material loss.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous sealing rings without gaps are used, then stability under pressure changes is improved, but wear compensation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is segmented with radial gaps that allow axial displacement of individual segments. This segmentation provides the wear compensation capability normally associated with gap-containing rings, while the segments remain connected in a continuous circular arrangement that maintains stability under pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented structure allows dynamic axial displacement of segments for wear compensation while maintaining the continuous circular configuration that provides stability. The radial gaps enable the necessary movement without compromising the overall structural integrity and pressure resistance of the sealing ring.
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 significantly reduces wear and maintains sealing effectiveness by eliminating ring gaps, providing stability under pressure changes and extending the seal's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the ring carrier is deformable, in particular elastically or plastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
The sealing rings are pressed toward the piston rod by a coil spring, for example, in the unloaded state
Implementation Method 3
An additional pressing of the sealing ring toward the piston rod takes place by the differential pressure applied to the sealing ring during the operation of the compressor
Implementation Method 4
seal the piston rod of crosshead piston compressors movably supported in an oscillating manner with the aid of dry-running or lubricated friction sealing elements
Data Source
AI summary
The seal arrangement (1) for piston compressors comprises a deformable ring support (2) and a first and a second endless sealing ring (3a, 3b), wherein the ring support (2) has a longitudinal axis (L) which extends perpendicularly with respect to its circumferential direction, and wherein the ring support (2) has a gap (2i) with play in its circumferential direction, and wherein each sealing ring (3a, 3b) has a longitudinal axis (3c, 3d) which extends perpendicularly with respect to its circumferential direction, and wherein the sealing rings (3a, 3b) are arranged in such a way that the ring support (2) encloses them from the outside, and wherein the two sealing rings (3a, 3b) are arranged next to one another in the direction of extent of the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the ring support (2) and the sealing rings (3a, 3b) are designed to be adapted to one another in such a way that the first sealing ring (3a) bears on one side against a first side wall (2d) of the ring support (2) and forms a first gap (S1) to the ring support (2) on the opposite side with regard to the longitudinal axis (3c) of the first sealing ring (3a), and wherein the second sealing ring (3b) bears in a diametrically opposed manner on one side against a second side wall (2l) of the ring support (2) and forms a second gap (S2) to the ring support (2) on the opposite side with regard to the longitudinal axis (3d) of the second sealing ring (3b), wherein the first and second side walls (2d, 2l) are arranged so as to lie opposite one another with regard to the longitudinal axis (L), with the result that the ring support (2) can in each case bring about a prestressing force (5a, 5b) on the first and second sealing rings (3a, 3b) respectively via the first and second side walls (2d, 2l) respectively, wherein the prestressing forces (5a, 5b) extend in an opposed manner.