Elastomer Probe Seal Radial Expansion for Damaged Hydraulic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea male hydraulic coupling members with damaged probe surfaces often fail to seal properly due to their rigidity, making retrieval and repair expensive, especially when using less resilient materials like metal and engineering plastics.
Innovation Solution
A female hydraulic coupling member with an elastomer probe seal molded to a ring-shaped metal base, which expands radially under hydraulic fluid pressure to improve sealing effectiveness, and a retainer nut with an angled shoulder to further urge the seal against the male probe, enhancing conformity to irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid seal materials like metal and engineering plastics are used, then strength and rigidity are improved, but ability to conform to irregular surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly combines a rigid metal base ring with a resilient elastomeric seal element to achieve both structural strength and conformability. The metal base provides mechanical support while the elastomeric material conforms to irregular probe surfaces, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal element changes its physical parameters under hydraulic pressure, transitioning from a relaxed state to a compressed state that increases radial expansion and sealing force. This dynamic parameter change allows the seal to adapt to surface irregularities only when needed under pressure.
2Reliability
If the male probe surface becomes damaged, then sealing reliability deteriorates, but retrieval and repair cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the male probe adaptable to surface irregularities (which would be difficult and expensive), the invention makes the female seal adaptable to the male probe surface. This inversion of the adaptation function allows the seal to compensate for damaged male probe surfaces without requiring retrieval or repair of the male component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal automatically adjusts and conforms to irregular probe surfaces through its inherent material properties and the applied hydraulic pressure, providing self-compensation for surface damage without requiring external intervention, retrieval, or repair operations.
3Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is applied to expand the seal radially, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal mechanism uses the existing hydraulic pressure in the system to automatically expand the elastomeric seal radially against the probe surface. The hydraulic pressure serves dual purposes: operating the hydraulic coupling and actuating the seal expansion, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal expansion function is merged with the hydraulic pressure system already present in the coupling. The hydraulic fluid pressure that operates the coupling also provides the force to expand the elastomeric seal, combining two functions into one pressure source and reducing mechanical complexity.
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 solution effectively increases sealing effectiveness by allowing the elastomer seal to conform to damaged male probe surfaces, improving the fluid-tight seal even when the male probe is galled, scratched, or gouged, reducing the need for costly retrieval and repair.
Implementation Method 1
A female hydraulic coupling member has an elastomer probe seal molded to a ring-shaped metal base which is adapted to exert a compressive force on the probe seal when exposed to hydraulic fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric seal element which further acts to urge the seal against the surface of the male probe member when the seal is compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A female hydraulic coupling member has an elastomer probe seal molded to or abutting a ring-shaped metal base which is adapted to exert a compressive force on the probe seal when exposed to hydraulic fluid pressure. The compressive force causes the seal to expand in a radial direction thereby increasing its sealing effectiveness. A retainer nut for holding the seal in the receiving chamber may have an angled surface which acts to urge the seal in an inward, radial direction when an axial, compressive force is applied to the seal.