Dual-Loop Transmission Seal With Vent-Space Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for multiple fluids in transmission systems face challenges in effectively maintaining separate barriers for different fluids and detecting fluid leaks, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in fluid management.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system with a dual-loop seal design and a vent space mechanism that separates fluids and includes a sensor and controller for leak detection, ensuring that hydraulic, coolant, and atmospheric fluids are maintained within their respective barriers and alerting for any fluid leakage through the use of a sensor and controller system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single seal is used to separate multiple fluids, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of fluid separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple independent loops (outer loop for hydraulic fluid, inner loop for coolant fluid) that can separately maintain different fluids. Each loop functions as an independent sealing barrier, ensuring that failure of one loop does not compromise the separation of all fluids. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable fluid separation through multiple specialized seals rather than a single complex multi-function seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner loop seal is positioned inside the outer loop seal, creating a nested configuration where each seal protects a specific fluid zone. The outer loop contains hydraulic fluid while the inner loop contains coolant fluid, with atmospheric fluid in between. This nesting arrangement allows multiple fluid separations within a compact seal structure, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and fluid separation reliability.
2Device complexity
If no vent space mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection of fluid leaks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A vent space is introduced as an intermediary chamber between the inner and outer loops, filled with atmospheric fluid. This vent space serves as a detection zone where sensors can monitor for fluid intrusion from either the hydraulic or coolant loops. The vent space mediates between the two sealed fluid loops, enabling leak detection without requiring complex direct monitoring of each seal, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and leak detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors positioned in the vent space provide feedback about the presence of fluids that should not be present (hydraulic fluid leaking into the vent space or coolant fluid leaking through the inner loop). This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of seal failures or leaks, resolving the contradiction by making leak detection straightforward through sensor monitoring of the vent space conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple seals are used to maintain separate fluid barriers, then the reliability of fluid separation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested loops where the inner loop seal is positioned within the outer loop seal structure. This nesting allows multiple fluid barriers to be maintained in a compact, integrated configuration rather than requiring separate, distributed sealing systems. The nested structure improves fluid barrier integrity through multiple seals while minimizing the increase in device complexity by organizing the seals in a space-efficient manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-loop seal system serves multiple functions simultaneously: the outer loop seals hydraulic fluid, the inner loop seals coolant fluid, and the vent space between them provides both atmospheric fluid containment and leak detection capability. This multi-functionality allows the seal system to maintain reliable fluid separation while avoiding the complexity of separate systems for each function, as the nested loop structure inherently provides all required sealing and detection functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system for multiple fluids includes a transmission housing having a first port and a first opening, an electronic component connected to the transmission housing forming a vent space between the electronic component and the transmission housing, and a seal positioned between the electronic component and the transmission housing. The electronic component includes a first conduit. The seal includes an outer loop maintaining a first fluid outside of the outer loop. The seal includes a first inner loop surrounding the first conduit and positioned inside of the outer loop. The first inner loop maintains a second fluid inside the first inner loop. The first port is in fluid communication with the first conduit. The first opening is positioned inside of the outer loop and outside of the first inner loop. The first opening is in fluid communication with the vent space.