Elastic Sleeve Coupling for Rotating Seal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for sealing assemblies with rotating annular elements are not sufficiently reliable under mechanical and thermal stress, despite precise positioning and assembly, as they tend to shift or fail during minor movements and maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system featuring a molded sheet metal annular screen with a sleeve portion and flange, where the sleeve is elastically compressible onto the rotating annular element, and includes a groove and annular edges that increase the reaction force distribution, enhancing stability and retention without increasing assembly complexity or thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a mounting by interference is used to couple the sleeve portion with the rotating annular element, then angular and axial integral positioning is achieved, but the coupling system becomes unreliable under mechanical and thermal stress due to shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the sleeve portion by introducing elastic compressibility through specific material selection and structural design. The sleeve is designed to deform elastically under mounting stress, creating a flexible connection that adapts to thermal expansion and mechanical stress, thereby maintaining coupling reliability without compromising positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the sleeve portion with elastic compressible material characteristics, either through material selection or structural design. This composite approach allows the coupling system to simultaneously achieve precise positioning and high reliability under stress by distributing mechanical loads and accommodating thermal variations
2Stability of the object's composition
If axial thrust is increased to improve coupling stability, then shifting is prevented, but assembly complexity and required mounting force increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the sleeve portion by introducing elastic compressibility, which allows the sleeve to deform and conform to the mounting surface under moderate thrust. This eliminates the need for excessive axial mounting force while maintaining coupling stability, thereby reducing assembly complexity and required equipment without compromising retention
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic compressible sleeve portion possesses self-adjusting characteristics that allow it to automatically conform to the mounting surface and distribute loads evenly. This self-service mechanism prevents shifting and maintains stability without requiring complex assembly procedures or high mounting forces, simplifying the overall assembly process
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 system provides a stable and reliable coupling between the annular screen and the rotating ring, improving resistance to mechanical and thermal stress while maintaining ease of assembly and reducing the risk of shifting, without requiring additional force or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve portion showing resiliently compressible against the seat assembly, and such that the radial compression of the sleeve portion exerted on the mounting seat causes a reaction force
Data Source
AI summary
Coupling system of a sealing assembly that has an annular rotating element, the seal assembly provides an annular screen providing a sleeve portion to be integrally coupled with the annular element rotating and a flange portion that protrudes radially from the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion by coupling with a seat mounting of the annular rotating element defined by an outer cylindrical surface of the mounting and including a first circumferential discontinuity cooperating with the sleeve portion to locally increase a reaction force of the cylindrical surface at the first circumferential discontinuity due to elastic radial pressure exerted by the sleeve portion on the mounting seat.