Cryogenic Sealing Ring Asymmetry and Fluid Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for cryogenic media face challenges in maintaining an effective seal due to differing thermal coefficients, where the sealing element contracts more than the components it connects, leading to inconsistent contact pressure and potential leaks during temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a sealing ring that contracts more than the connected components, with sealing surfaces angled relative to the contraction direction, and a hollow profile design allowing cryogenic fluid to exert pressure, combined with a spring washer for enhanced contact pressure and a recess for axial fixation, ensuring improved sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the sealing ring shrinks more than the system components when exposed to cold, then the contact pressure on sealing surfaces is increased, but the sealing surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed with an asymmetric cross-section where the sealing surfaces are inclined at different angles relative to the radial contraction direction. The first sealing surface has a different inclination angle than the second sealing surface, allowing each surface to optimize both contact pressure and effective sealing area independently
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing surfaces are arranged at inclined angles rather than being perpendicular to the contraction direction. This introduces an angular dimension to the sealing geometry, transforming the purely radial contraction effect into a combination of radial and axial pressure components that simultaneously increase contact pressure and maintain sealing area
2Stress or pressure
If the sealing surfaces are arranged orthogonally to the direction of contraction, then the contact pressure is maximized, but the installation space requirement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surfaces are inclined at angles to the radial contraction direction rather than being orthogonal. This angular arrangement introduces a dimensional transformation that converts part of the radial contraction into axial pressure, achieving effective sealing with reduced radial thickness and installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angles of the sealing surfaces are optimized to balance contact pressure generation and space requirements. By adjusting these angular parameters, the design achieves adequate sealing performance with compact dimensions suitable for space-constrained applications
3Reliability
If the sealing ring is designed with a hollow profile allowing fluid penetration, then the sealing reliability is improved through additional fluid pressure, but the structural complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow profile design allows the cryogenic fluid itself to contribute to the sealing mechanism by penetrating into the cavity and exerting pressure on the sealing surfaces. The system uses its own operating medium to enhance sealing reliability without requiring external assistance or additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow profile creates a flexible cavity structure within the sealing ring that can deform and adapt to pressure differentials. This thin-walled hollow structure allows fluid penetration while maintaining structural integrity, adding sealing functionality without substantial complexity increase
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 achieves a robust and reliable seal by increasing contact pressure through the sealing ring's contraction, utilizing the cryogenic fluid's pressure and axial fixation, thereby maintaining tightness despite temperature changes and reducing installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing ring shrinking more than the first system component and the second system component when exposed to cold
Implementation Method 2
The cryogenic fluid can penetrate into this cavity and additionally exert pressure on the sealing surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing arrangement of a fluidic system for operation with cryogenic media, comprising a sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90), wherein a first system component (12, 42, 52, 64, 96) is connected to a second system component (16, 44, 54, 70, 98) via the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90), wherein the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90) further comprises a first sealing surface (20, 56, 92) for sealing with the first system component (12, 42, 52, 64, 96) and the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90) a second sealing surface (22, 58, 94) for sealing with the second system component (16, 44, 54, 70, 98), wherein the first sealing surface (20, 56, 92) and the second sealing surface (22, 58, 94) of the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90) are designed such that the first and second system components (16, 44, 54, 70, 98) in the area of the sealing surfaces (20, 22, 92,94) in a section plane parallel to the direction of contraction radially within the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90) and the sealing ring (18, 40, 50, 62, 72, 90) contracts thermally more strongly under the influence of cold than the first system component (12, 42, 52, 64, 96) and the second system component (16, 44, 54, 70, 98).