Face Seal with Pressure Relieving Device for High-Pressure Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face seals in high-pressure applications, such as pumps and turbines, require multiple separate seals or additional components to manage pressure loads, leading to inefficiencies and increased space requirements, while maintaining effective sealing.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a pressure relieving device, such as a pressure relief ring, within the face seal design to create a zone of lower pressure, reducing the load on the sealing element and allowing for a compact design that maintains effective sealing even under high internal pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate face seals are arranged after each other to provide sealing in high-pressure applications, then the pressure load on individual seals is reduced, but the device complexity and mounting space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated face seal assembly. The first and second face seals are arranged in series within one housing, with the pressure relieving device integrated into the same assembly. This merging approach maintains the pressure reduction benefit while reducing overall device complexity and mounting space requirements compared to completely separate face seal units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the pressure relieving device is positioned between the first and second face seals within the same housing space. The sealing elements and pressure relieving components are arranged concentrically and in series, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial zones. This nesting enables the system to achieve multi-stage pressure reduction without proportionally increasing the external mounting footprint.
2Reliability
If separate pressure relieving components are combined with face seals to reduce pressure load, then the pressure load on sealing elements is reduced, but the mounting space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relieving device is merged with the face seal assembly into a single integrated unit. The pressure relieving components (including the pressure relief ring and sealing elements) are arranged within the same housing and share common mounting interfaces. This integration eliminates the need for separate pressure relieving components mounted adjacent to the face seals, thereby reducing the total mounting space while maintaining effective pressure load reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relieving device is nested within the face seal assembly structure. The pressure relief ring is positioned in an annular recess of the housing, and the sealing elements are arranged in series within the same radial space. This nested arrangement allows the pressure relieving function to be accomplished within the existing face seal footprint without requiring additional external mounting space.
3Reliability
If the pressure difference across the sealing surfaces is increased to improve sealing, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the pressure load on the face seal solidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure reduction process into multiple stages using series-arranged face seals and a pressure relieving device. Instead of relying on a single face seal to withstand the full pressure differential, the system divides the pressure drop across multiple sealing interfaces. This segmentation reduces the pressure load on each individual sealing element while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness through the cumulative effect of multiple seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relieving device acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure region and the low-pressure region. By positioning the pressure relieving device (with its own sealing elements) between the first and second face seals, the system creates an intermediate pressure zone. This intermediary structure reduces the pressure differential that each individual face seal must withstand, thereby preserving face seal solidity while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness.
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 integrated pressure relieving device effectively reduces pressure loads on the sealing element, enabling a compact and efficient sealing solution that prevents leaks, even in high-pressure environments, without the need for additional space-consuming components.
Implementation Method 1
a passage (20) is provided, which connects said zone with a second internal area (B2) of the house, in which a lower pressure prevails than in所述第一内部区域(B1)
Implementation Method 2
the pressure may be reduced in several steps, and accordingly the pressure load may be reduced in the individual face seals
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a face seal for sealing a radial area (6) between a rotatable shaft (2) and a through hole inside a house (1). The radial space (6) extends from an area (A) located outside of the house (1) to a first internal area (B1) in the house (1), where a higher pressure prevails than in the outside area (A). The face seal (5) comprises a first sealing element (9) and a second sealing element (13), which are adapted to abut against each other, so that said area (6) is divided into a first part (6a), which is in contact with the external area (A), and a second part (6b) which is in contact with the first internal area (B). The face seal (5) comprises a pressure relieving device (15, 16, 17, 18), adapted to be arranged in the second part (6b) of the radial area and to create a zone (6b1) therein in connection with said sealing element (9, 13), where a lower pressure prevails than in the first internal area (B1).