Dual Face Seal Geometry for Torque Resistance and Debris Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for machines in harsh environments, such as those used in earth moving and construction, face challenges in retaining lubrication while preventing debris and moisture ingress, with conventional designs failing to effectively prevent spinning, leaking, and debris entry.
Innovation Solution
A dual face seal assembly featuring L-shaped seal rings with axially and radially extending flanges, including deformations in a stepped geometry on the loading surfaces, which enhance the grip and sealing efficiency by increasing the contact area between the load rings and seal rings, thereby improving torque resistance and preventing debris entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seal assemblies are used in harsh environments, then the seal assembly can provide basic sealing function, but the seal assembly fails to effectively prevent spinning, leaking, and debris entry
Solution Approach 1:
The loading surface of the seal ring is modified with local geometric features (deformations or protrusions) that create localized high-contact-area regions. These local quality enhancements increase friction and grip between the load ring and seal ring, preventing spinning while maintaining overall seal integrity and preventing debris entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformations or protrusions on the loading surface introduce curved or non-planar geometric features that increase the contact area between the load ring and seal ring. This curvature-based modification enhances the mechanical interlocking and friction, effectively preventing spinning and improving sealing reliability.
2Strength
If the contact area between load rings and seal rings is increased to prevent spinning, then torque resistance improves, but the structural complexity of the seal ring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading surface is segmented into multiple discrete deformations or protrusions distributed around the seal ring circumference. This segmentation approach increases the total contact area and torque resistance while maintaining a relatively simple overall seal ring structure that is easy to manufacture and install.
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 dual face seal assembly effectively retains lubrication, reduces spinning and leaking, and enhances torque resistance, providing a more reliable and durable sealing solution in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first and second load rings has an inner annular cylindrical surface configured to engage and apply a force to the loading surface of the corresponding first or second seal ring to maintain the seal faces in sealing engagement
Implementation Method 2
The loading surface includes a plurality of deformations formed in a spaced apart arrangement circumferentially around the axially-extending flange... enhance the grip and sealing efficiency by increasing the contact area between the load rings and seal rings, thereby improving torque resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A torque-resistant dual face seal includes a seal ring having an L-shaped cross-section including an axially-extending flange and a radially-extending flange, the seal ring including an annular seal face and an opposing loading surface. The seal ring includes a plurality of deformations formed in a spaced apart arrangement circumferentially around the axially-extending flange. An axial cross-section through the axially-extending flange and intersecting one of the plurality of deformations includes a stepped geometry. The plurality of deformations allows a load ring to squeeze into the plurality of deformations to increase a surface area contact between the seal ring and the load ring.