Cryogenic Dynamic Seal Testing With Vacuum Insulation and Gas Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dynamic seal test devices for cryogenic fluid mediums fail to accurately measure leakage rates and sealing performance due to lack of thermal insulation and insufficient measurement methods, particularly for low-leakage scenarios, and do not fully account for the influence of seal structure on cryogenic fluid mediums, leading to issues in reliability and efficiency in aerospace and cryogenic machining applications.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic seal test device with a vacuum structure and insulated materials is designed, incorporating ultra-low temperature-resistant sensors to measure pressure, temperature, displacement, and gas concentration, allowing for comprehensive sealing performance evaluation and adaptability to various seal types, with a servo motor controlling rotor speed for multiple condition testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If common flowmeter is used to measure leakage rate, then measurement is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to vaporization of cryogenic fluid medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement parameter from direct liquid flow measurement to gas concentration measurement. By allowing the cryogenic liquid to evaporate and measuring the resulting gas concentration in the enclosed space, the system achieves accurate leakage rate measurement without the vaporization issues that plague direct flowmeter measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flowmeter with a gas concentration sensor system. Instead of using mechanical components to measure liquid flow directly, the system uses electrical sensors to detect gas concentration, which is then converted to leakage rate data, avoiding the vaporization interference problem.
2Reliability
If thermal insulation treatment is not applied, then device structure is simple, but cryogenic fluid medium evaporates due to external heat inputting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a vacuum insulation layer around the cryogenic fluid storage and test chamber. This vacuum environment acts as an inert thermal barrier, preventing heat transfer from the external environment to the cryogenic fluid, thereby minimizing evaporation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Reliability
If standard sensors are used, then device cost is low, but sensors fail due to ultra-low temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects sensors specifically designed to operate at ultra-low temperatures. By changing the operational temperature parameter range of the sensors from standard conditions to cryogenic conditions, the system ensures reliable sensor function in the extreme cold environment of the dynamic seal test.
4Adaptability or versatility
If single seal type is tested, then test setup is simple, but adaptability to different seal types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the test device with a universal fixture system that can accommodate multiple seal types including radial seals, axial seals, and mechanical seals. The fixture includes adjustable components and standardized interfaces that allow different seal configurations to be tested using the same basic apparatus, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 device effectively prevents cryogenic fluid evaporation, provides comprehensive sealing performance data, and allows for flexible testing of different seal structures, enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability by employing vacuum and thermal insulation, and using a gas concentration sensor for precise leakage measurement.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum structure and the insulated material are respectively applied for the rotor and seal inside the dynamic seal test device to prevent the cryogenic fluid medium evaporation caused by external heat inputting
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum structure and the insulated material are respectively applied for the rotor and seal inside the dynamic seal test device to prevent the cryogenic fluid medium evaporation caused by external heat inputting
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a dynamic seal test device for cryogenic fluid medium. The dynamic seal test device includes stator unit, rotor unit, slipway, servo motor unit and sensors. The tested seal is installed inside the stator, and the thermal insulation stator and vacuum rotor together form a dynamic seal test structure. The seals and shaft sleeves can be flexibly replaced, which is beneficial to study the influence of different seal types, structure, and seal land configurations on the sealing performance. The servo motor provides power for the rotor and controls the rotation speed. The device greatly improves the thermal insulation capacity to avoid the gasification for the cryogenic fluid medium induced by the heat transfer from environment so that ensuring the stability of the test device.