Elastic Metal Seal Assembly for Dimensional Variation Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal-to-metal seals require tightly controlled manufacturing processes and multi-seal assemblies to accommodate dimensional variations in high-pressure, high-temperature applications, leading to increased complexity, cost, and risk of catastrophic failure due to uneven stress distribution.
Innovation Solution
A highly elastic metal seal system comprising a seal ring and stabilator, designed to regulate forces and contact stresses over the full range of seal deflection, allowing a single seal to accommodate varying pipe diameters by using a U-shaped cross-section with cantilevered protrusions and tapered sides, and a stabilator with cantilevered protrusions to manage force distribution and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal-to-metal seals are used with tightly controlled manufacturing processes, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to multi-seal assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple seal functions into a single integrated metal seal assembly that includes a seal ring with cantilevered protrusions and a stabilator component. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate multi-seal assemblies while maintaining sealing reliability through the integrated design that provides both sealing and stabilizing functions in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal seal assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the seal ring provides sealing contact, the cantilevered protrusions accommodate dimensional variations, and the stabilator provides structural stability. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional metal seals are used to accommodate dimensional variations, then adaptability is improved, but stress distribution becomes uneven leading to catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring features localized cantilevered protrusions that can independently deflect to accommodate dimensional variations in the sealing surface. This local flexibility allows different parts of the seal to adapt to specific dimensional variations while the overall structure maintains uniform stress distribution, preventing catastrophic failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilator component acts as an intermediary element that distributes loads uniformly across the seal assembly. It mediates between the external loading conditions and the seal ring, ensuring that stress is evenly distributed even when the seal must accommodate dimensional variations, thereby preventing stress concentration and catastrophic failure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seals are used to accommodate pipe diameter variations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single metal seal assembly is designed to universally accommodate a wide range of pipe diameter variations through its cantilevered protrusion structure. This universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized seals for different pipe sizes, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability across various dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered protrusions are designed to dynamically deflect and adapt to different pipe diameters during installation and operation. This dynamic capability allows a single seal design to accommodate dimensional variations that would traditionally require multiple fixed-dimension seals, simplifying manufacturing and reducing part count.
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
Enables a single metal seal to effectively seal across a wide range of dimensional variations, reducing part count, cost, and complexity while preventing catastrophic failure by controlling stress and ensuring consistent sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
A highly elastic metal seal system comprises a seal ring and stabilator, designed to regulate forces and contact stresses over the full range of seal deflection
Data Source
AI summary
A highly elastic annular seal assembly includes a metal stabilator having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and forming a U-shaped geometry, and a metal seal ring having inner and outer spaced-apart and projecting annular plates coupled to a common base and having a U-shaped geometry with a central groove. The stabilator plates are configured to be disposed within the central groove between the seal ring plates, and the stabilator plates being configured to gradually urge the seal ring plates outward as the seal ring and stabilator are brought together until a portion of the first seal ring plate contacts and forms a seal against a mating body disposed within the first seal ring plate.