Elastomeric Seal Sizer Using Flexible Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for resizing seals, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seals, are inadequate as they often damage the seals due to material fatigue and inability to accommodate varying diameters, leading to inefficiency and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing an elastomer member to apply force and deform seals to their original size and shape, featuring a fixture with corresponding dimensions and an actuator system to control the elastomer's deformation, allowing for simultaneous sizing of multiple seals without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a metal collet is used to compress seals to their original diameter, then the seal size can be restored, but the seal is damaged and weakened due to pinching and material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from rigid metal to flexible elastomer, allowing the tool to deform elastically during compression and return to its original shape, thereby restoring seal diameter without causing damage or weakening the seal material
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer member acts as a cushioning element that distributes compression forces uniformly across the seal surface, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause pinching and damage, while still achieving the required diameter restoration
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed geometry metal collet is used, then a specific seal diameter can be compressed, but it cannot accommodate seals of varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a fixed geometry metal collet to a dynamic elastomer member that can deform and adapt its shape according to the seal diameter being compressed, allowing a single tool to accommodate seals of varying diameters while maintaining precise control over the compression process
3Adaptability or versatility
If the metal collet is designed to move further than a few thousandths of an inch, then it can accommodate larger seal expansions, but the collet fails due to material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to elastomer, which has superior elasticity and fatigue resistance, allowing the tool to undergo large deformations (greater than a few thousandths of an inch) repeatedly without failing, thereby accommodating larger seal expansions while maintaining durability
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 returns seals to their original size and shape, reduces material failure risks, and enables efficient sizing of multiple seals with varying diameters, minimizing downtime and tool costs while preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer member 25 positioned along the inner surface of the sleeve 27 so as to be coaxially aligned with the opening 28. Force is applied onto the elastomer member 25 to deform the elastomer member 25 radially inward toward the fixture 29 and the seals 30
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for changing the shape of seals is provided. The apparatus includes an elastomer member that applies force onto the seal to change the size of the seal. An embodiment of the invention includes returning the seal to its original diameter by deforming the elastomer that is positioned about at least a portion of the seal.