Gravity Power Plant Seal Assembly for Diameter Variation and Seismic Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seals used in large-scale energy storage systems, such as those in Gravity Power Plants, face challenges due to the large diameter variations and vertical extent of pistons, making it economically infeasible to maintain precise diameters, leading to potential fluid leakage and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system with a seal assembly support base, seal mount, and seal assembly that includes a radial flange and vertical flange, along with a seismic isolation configuration, allowing for easy installation and maintenance, and featuring a seal assembly that conforms to the piston's surface despite diameter variations, using resilient materials and low-friction contact pads to prevent fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional seals with constant diameter are used, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the system cannot accommodate large diameter variations of the piston
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is designed to be flexible and adaptable rather than rigid. The seal elements can dynamically adjust to accommodate variations in piston diameter while maintaining effective sealing, allowing the system to work with pistons that have non-constant diameters without requiring high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly parameters (such as seal element dimensions, material properties, and configuration) are designed to accommodate a range of piston diameters. The seal system can adapt its effective sealing parameters to match the actual piston diameter variations, eliminating the need for constant diameter precision
2Ease of repair
If the seal assembly is made removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mounting and clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct components (seal elements, carriers, clamps) that can be independently installed and removed. The mounting mechanism is also segmented into separate clamping elements that can be independently adjusted and secured, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assemblies are designed with movable clamps that can be dynamically adjusted to secure the seal assembly to the piston. This dynamic mounting mechanism allows for easy installation and removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the clamps can be opened for maintenance and closed for operation
3Reliability
If seals are designed to conform to piston surface variations, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision of the seal assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the seal assembly have different local properties tailored to their specific functions. The seal elements are made of compliant materials that can locally adapt to piston surface variations, while the carrier and mounting structures maintain precise dimensions for proper assembly. This local differentiation allows sealing effectiveness without requiring the entire seal assembly to be manufactured with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly uses composite construction with different materials for different components. The seal elements use compliant, adaptive materials that can conform to piston surface variations, while the structural components use rigid materials for dimensional stability. This composite approach enables the seal to adapt to piston variations without compromising the manufacturing precision of the overall assembly
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 system effectively prevents fluid leakage, enhances operational efficiency, and facilitates easy maintenance by allowing seal replacement without draining the system, while providing seismic isolation to protect against earthquakes.
Implementation Method 1
using resilient materials and low-friction contact pads to prevent fluid leakage
Implementation Method 2
using resilient materials and low-friction contact pads to prevent fluid leakage
Implementation Method 3
featuring a seal assembly that conforms to the piston's surface despite diameter variations, using resilient materials and low-friction contact pads to prevent fluid leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system for a Gravity Power Plant having a shaft (104) with a shaft wall (105) and a piston (102) incorporates a seal assembly support base (202) anchored into the shaft wall and surrounding the piston. A seal mount has a radial flange (210) to anchor the seal mount to the support base (202) and a vertical flange (212) extending from an inner circumference of the radial flange. A seal assembly (206) circumferentially contacting the piston, has a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamp assemblies (227) to engage the seal assembly to the vertical flange, the clamp assemblies having an open position releasing the seal assembly from the vertical flange and a closed position constraining the seal assembly on the vertical flange. For seismic isolation of the seal assembly the radial flange is supported on a lower bearing (406) supported on a top surface of the seal assembly support base proximate an inner surface. The radial flange (410) extends inward from the inner surface with the vertical flange spaced from the inner surface by a radial relief (428) within a gap between the seal assembly support base and the piston. An upper bearing is supported in engagement with a top surface (411) of the radial flange (410) of the seal mount (404).