Flange Seal With Embedded Metal Support And Notches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber-steel seals for flange connections are prone to damage from high screwing forces, leading to unreliable sealing due to the viscous behavior of rubber, and are costly to produce when additional structural support is incorporated.
Innovation Solution
A seal comprising an elastomer ring disk with a metal support element embedded within, featuring notches for secure connection and limited screw force transmission, produced through injection molding for simplicity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rubber ring is used alone to seal flange connections, then the structure is simple, but the screwing force destroys the rubber ring and sealing reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal combines rubber and metal materials into a composite structure. The rubber ring provides sealing functionality while the metal support ring embedded within it bears the screwing forces, preventing rubber destruction and ensuring reliable sealing under high compression loads.
2Reliability
If a steel ring is added to limit screwing force on the rubber ring, then sealing reliability improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal support ring is embedded within the rubber ring, with the rubber material surrounding and integrating the metal component. This nested configuration allows the metal ring to limit screwing forces while the rubber provides sealing, achieving reliable sealing without requiring separate external steel rings and reducing production complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the support element is completely enclosed by elastomer, then corrosion protection improves, but force transmission and sealing effectiveness may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer element provides partial enclosure of the support element, creating different protection levels in different regions. The support element protrudes locally to maintain force transmission capability and sealing effectiveness, while other portions are enclosed for corrosion protection, achieving both goals through spatially differentiated design.
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 provides a reliable and cost-effective sealing solution by securely connecting a metal support element within an elastomer ring disk, limiting screw force and ensuring consistent sealing performance while being easy to manufacture and install.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer element in the form of a ring disk
Implementation Method 2
Due to the viscous behavior of the rubber, the seal also yields to the imposed load
Implementation Method 3
The alignment of the support element within the elastomer element, which is flush at least on one side and preferably flush on both sides, limits the maximum screw force that can be applied to the elastomer element, specifically in the form of a force shunt
Implementation Method 4
The support element is securely connected to the elastomer element by means of the metal support element arranged in the interior of the elastomer element and having notches formed thereon. The notches ensure that the support element is fastened positively, in particular in all directions
Implementation Method 5
The seal can be produced with simple structural means, since this can be done by inserting the prefabricated support element into the cavity of an injection molding machine. The support element can then be overmoulded with the elastomer that later forms the elastomer element, with the notches promoting the flow process of the elastomer
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal (10) for sealing flange connections (12), having an annular disc-shaped elastomer element (16) delimited by a radially inner annular edge (18), a radially outer annular edge (20), an annular disc upper side (22) and an annular disc lower side (24), is configured and developed by way of simple structural means with regard to a reliable sealing action in such a way that the elastomer element (16) has, in a manner which adjoins the inner annular edge (18), at least one circumferential sealing bead (26, 28) which projects relative to the annular disc upper side (22) and/or to the annular disc lower side (24), and an annular supporting element (34) made from metal which is embedded in the elastomer element (16) flush with respect to the annular disc upper side (22) and/or to the annular disc lower side (24), wherein the supporting element (34) has notches (36) for connection to the elastomer element (16) and is enclosed at least partially by the elastomer element (16).