Double-Diameter Fluid Seal for Rigid Valve Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals, such as O-rings and flat gaskets, made from deformable materials like rubber, are impractical for applications requiring non-deformable materials, leading to inefficiencies and leakage issues, particularly in small devices like personal pumps where plastic-to-plastic contacts are relied upon for sealing.
Innovation Solution
A double diameter seal design with a body featuring a first diameter for upper contact and a second diameter for lower contact, including a notch for transition, allowing for improved alignment and contact with angled surfaces, reducing material deformation and eliminating gaps, and enabling the use of semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid materials like metals and composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single diameter seal is used with plastic-to-plastic contact, then the device structure remains simple, but the seal effectiveness is insufficient leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into two distinct diameters: a first diameter for upper contact with the valve stem and a second diameter for lower contact with the angled surface. This segmentation allows each diameter to perform its specific sealing function independently, improving overall seal effectiveness without requiring multiple separate seal components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal are designed with different diameters to create local quality variations. The first diameter area is optimized for contact with the vertical valve stem, while the second diameter area is optimized for contact with the angled surface. This local differentiation enables effective sealing at both contact points simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a right angle contacts an angled surface at the opening point, then the seal structure is simple, but the contact surface area is minimized reducing seal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The seal transitions from a single-point contact geometry to a multi-dimensional contact solution by introducing a second diameter that creates an additional contact zone. This dimensional change allows the seal to engage the angled surface over a larger area rather than at a single minimal contact point.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes curved surfaces at both diameters instead of sharp angles. The first diameter provides a curved contact surface for the valve stem, and the second diameter provides a curved contact surface for the angled surface, increasing contact area and improving seal quality through distributed pressure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If hard or semi-hard materials are used for the seal, then the seal durability increases, but the material deformation capability decreases making sealing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hard or semi-hard seal material is segmented into two diameters that can independently engage with different surfaces. This segmentation allows the rigid material to maintain its shape and structural integrity while still achieving effective contact with both the valve stem and the angled surface, compensating for the lack of material deformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the seal by introducing a second diameter with specific dimensional relationships to the first diameter. This parameter change allows the rigid seal to achieve proper alignment and contact pressure distribution, enabling effective sealing without relying on material deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal to prevent fluid transfer using double diameters to provide a tighter seal is disclosed. The double diameter seal has a body with a first diameter containing an upper contact area and a second diameter forming a lower contact point. A notch extends into the body between the upper contact area and the lower contact point for a predetermined distance to form a transition point. In use, the first diameter is dimensioned to place a portion of the length of the upper contact area in sliding engagement adjacent to a length of the first surface. The second diameter dimensioned to place the lower contact point contacting an angled second surface of a valve.