Electrical Feedthrough Sealing in Compressor-Expander Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressor/expander machines face challenges in achieving a reliable seal between the mounting body and the housing due to the pressure force acting on the electrical feedthrough, especially under varying pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a second mounting body sealing surface and a corresponding housing sealing surface, arranged transversely to the first sealing surfaces, along with a second sealing element, enhances the sealing mechanism by utilizing the pressure force for optimal sealing and allowing movement of the mounting body, thereby creating additional sealing points and ensuring a reliable seal even at low or no pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a mounting body is mounted on the housing as a separate element with a first sealing surface, then the electrical feedthrough can be assembled separately and maintained easily, but the seal between the mounting body and housing becomes unreliable under varying pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is divided into two independent sealing surfaces: a first sealing surface for assembly/maintenance purposes and a second sealing surface for pressure compensation. This segmentation allows each sealing surface to serve its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sealing surface is positioned to be acted upon by pressure forces, allowing the sealing parameters to change dynamically with pressure variations. This enables the sealing mechanism to adapt to different pressure conditions automatically, maintaining reliability while preserving the separate mounting body design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting body is fixed rigidly to the housing, then the sealing position is stable, but the seal cannot utilize pressure force for optimal sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting body is designed with selective mobility: it can move in the direction of the first sealing surface to allow pressure force utilization, while maintaining positional stability through the second sealing surface. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between stability and pressure force utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a second sealing surface in a different dimensional orientation (transverse to the first sealing surface) to provide stability in one dimension while allowing movement in another dimension. This dimensional separation enables both stability and pressure force utilization simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If only a first sealing surface is provided on the mounting body, then the structure remains simple, but additional sealing points are needed for reliable sealing under all pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complicating the first sealing surface, the solution adds a second sealing surface in a transverse dimension. This dimensional addition provides the necessary sealing redundancy without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the second sealing surface leverages existing pressure forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sealing surface is designed to be self-actuating, utilizing the pressure force already present in the system to create the sealing action. This eliminates the need for additional complex mechanisms or external actuation systems, maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability.
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
This configuration ensures a robust and reliable seal between the mounting body and the housing, effectively utilizing the pressure force to maintain a tight seal, even under conditions of low or no pressure, and allows for precise positioning and rotationally fixed mounting of the electrical feedthrough.
Implementation Method 1
a first mounting body sealing surface which runs continuously around the electrical contact elements and faces away from the at least one interior space, which extends transversely to a compressive force acting on the passage from the pressurized medium in the at least one interior space
Data Source
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AI summary
To design a compressor/expander machine with a housing in which a compressor/expander unit for a medium is arranged, which is guided in at least one interior space of the housing, and with an electrical connection unit arranged on the housing, comprising at least one electrical feedthrough arranged on the housing and leading into the at least one interior space for establishing an electrical connection with at least one electrical unit arranged in the housing, to be pressure-resistant, it is proposed that the electrical feedthrough has a mounting body mounted on the housing as a separate element and electrical contact elements located therein, and that the mounting body has a first mounting body sealing surface that is closed around the electrical contact elements and faces away from the at least one interior space.which runs transversely to a pressure force acting on the feedthrough by the medium under pressure in the at least one interior space and which interacts sealingly with a first housing sealing surface of the housing facing the at least one interior space and this first mounting body sealing surface.