Dual-Material Conduit Seal Assembly for Extreme Temperature Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduit seals in gas processing containers face challenges in maintaining airtight seals across extreme temperature ranges and pressures, particularly in cryogenic conditions and high-temperature environments, while also needing to detect leaks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A conduit seal assembly with a first seal resistant to high temperatures (up to 1000°C) and a second seal made from a non-cross-linked, non-crystalline, monolithic viscous polymer-based material for cryogenic temperatures, along with a cavity-monitoring assembly to detect leaks, and external and internal boots for additional sealing and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single seal material is used for the entire conduit, then manufacturing is simple, but the seal cannot withstand both high temperatures (1000°C) and cryogenic temperatures (-170°C to -150°C) simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple segments with different materials: a first seal portion made of heat-resistant material for the high-temperature end, and a second seal portion made of cryogenic-resistant material for the low-temperature end. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific temperature range while maintaining a unified seal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes composite construction by combining different materials in a single seal assembly. The first seal portion uses materials suitable for high-temperature resistance, while the second seal portion uses materials optimized for cryogenic conditions, creating a composite seal that handles the full temperature spectrum.
2Reliability
If a cavity-monitoring assembly is added to detect leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cavity-monitoring assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealed cavity and the external monitoring system. This assembly includes sensors that detect leaks within the cavity and transmit information outward, enabling leak detection without compromising the seal integrity or requiring complex external intervention.
3Reliability
If external and internal boots are added for additional sealing, then seal reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple protective layers: an external boot for outer sealing and protection, and an internal boot for inner sealing. This segmentation provides redundant sealing at different locations, enhancing overall reliability while distributing the manufacturing complexity across standardized components.
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 assembly provides a reliable, airtight seal across extreme temperature and pressure conditions, effectively detecting leaks and maintaining fluid-tight integrity even under varying conditions, ensuring safe and efficient gas processing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a second seal in the second opening for resisting a second temperature, the first and second seals defining a cavity and providing an air-tight seal of the cavity; wherein the second seal is made from a non-cross-linked, non-crystalline, monolithic viscous polymer-based material having visco-elastic properties in an expected temperature range of operation of from -170 degrees Celsius to -150 degrees Celsius
Data Source
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AI summary
A conduit seal assembly includes an outer conduit having a first end with a first opening and a second end, opposite the first end, with a second opening. A first seal is positioned in the first opening for resisting a first temperature, and a second seal is positioned in the second opening for resisting a second temperature less than the first temperature. The first and second seals define a cavity and provide an air-tight seal of the cavity, and the assembly includes a monitoring assembly configured to sense a characteristic in the cavity.