Dynamic Seal With Dual-Fluid Lips for Offshore Rotating Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic sealing devices in offshore petroleum production systems face premature wear due to friction and creep when subjected to rotational movement and high pressure, leading to leakage and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic sealing device with an additional lip energized by a second fluid, which assists in sealing and maintains mechanical integrity by being pressed against a wall, reducing the burden on the main lips and extending the seal's life through adapted fluid use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the body portion and main lips provide sealing under high pressure, then sealing integrity is maintained, but friction and creep cause premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided between multiple components: the body portion provides structural support and primary sealing, while additional lips provide secondary sealing assistance. This segmentation distributes the sealing burden and reduces wear on individual components, extending overall seal lifespan while maintaining integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the seal have specialized functions optimized for their local conditions: the body portion is designed for mechanical strength and pressure resistance, while the additional lips are designed for enhanced sealing contact. This local optimization allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without compromising overall reliability
2Reliability
If the lips are energized by fluid pressure to maintain sealing contact, then sealing performance improves, but the body portion experiences increased mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided between multiple components: the body portion provides structural support and primary sealing, while additional lips provide secondary sealing assistance. This segmentation distributes the sealing burden and reduces wear on individual components, extending overall seal lifespan while maintaining integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal combines fluid pressure energization with mechanical spring pre-stressing. The spring maintains baseline contact pressure while fluid pressure provides additional sealing force. This merging of mechanical and fluid-based sealing mechanisms enhances sealing performance while distributing mechanical stress across both the spring and fluid pressure systems
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 additional lip enhances the sealing performance and reliability by distributing pressure and reducing wear, thereby increasing the seal's lifespan and maintaining fluid integrity under rotational movement and high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second lips are configured to be energized by a first fluid so as to seal at least one of the first part and second part
Implementation Method 2
the additional lip or lips... configured to be energized by a second fluid so as to seal at least the other of the first part and second part
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the lips and/or the body portion are likely to slide on the faces of the members against which they bear. Such sliding leads to a phenomenon of friction on the seal which may wear the seal prematurely
Implementation Method 4
the seal undergoes an effect of creep when the latter is under load, that is to say under pressure, and subjected to a high temperature... which may cause a phenomenon referred to as extrusion
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic sealing device provides sealing between at least a first part and at least a second part having a relative rotational movement in relation to the first part. The device is formed by a seal including a body portion; a first main lip extending from the body portion; a second main lip extending from the body portion, the first lip facing the second lip; the first and second lips being configured to be energized by a first fluid so as to seal at least one of the first part and second part. The seal further includes at least one additional lip located on the body portion remotely from the first and second lips and being configured to be energized by a second fluid so as to seal at least the other of the first part and second part.