Curved-Interface Graphite Gland Packing for Leak Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing gland packing designs face challenges in preventing fluid permeation and leakage through contact surfaces between laminating members and protrusions, and air trapped during manufacturing can degrade sealing properties and affect dimensional accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The gland packing design features an annular packing body formed by winding expanded graphite tape in a spiral shape, with laminating members bonded to axial end surfaces, where the contact surfaces between protrusions and laminating members have varying radii, allowing for longer fluid paths and easier air discharge during manufacturing, thereby reducing permeation and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the contact surface between the protrusion and laminating member is formed with a linear base line extending along the axial direction, then the manufacturing process is simple, but fluid can permeate into the packing body or leak from it through the contact surface
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface between the protrusion and laminating member is formed with a curved profile where the radius changes in the axial direction, replacing the linear base line design. This curved configuration extends the fluid path length and prevents direct fluid permeation through the contact interface, thereby improving sealing reliability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding processes
2Productivity
If the packing body is formed by winding expanded graphite tape material in a spiral shape and compressing it, then the manufacturing process is efficient, but air remains trapped inside the packing body degrading sealing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The laminating member is designed with a specific shape that creates an air discharge path before the final compression is completed. This preliminary configuration allows trapped air to escape during the compression process, preventing air pockets from forming in the final packed structure and maintaining both manufacturing efficiency and sealing reliability
3Loss of time
If air remains inside the packing body during manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is faster, but the sealing property is degraded and dimensional accuracy is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The laminating member acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates air discharge during compression. Its specific geometric configuration creates channels that allow air to escape as the packing body is compressed, enabling faster manufacturing without compromising dimensional accuracy or sealing properties
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 effectively suppresses fluid permeation and leakage, improves sealing properties, and ensures accurate dimensional control by allowing air to escape, enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the gland packing.
Implementation Method 1
an annular packing body (121) which is formed by winding an expanded graphite tape material in a spiral shape and compressing the tape material
Implementation Method 2
a contact surface between the protrusion and the laminating member is formed so that a radius changes in at least a part in the axial direction... suppressing a fluid from permeating into the packing body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a gland packing capable of suppressing a fluid from permeating into a packing body or leaking from the packing body through a contact surface between a laminating member and a protrusion of the packing body. The gland packing includes an annular packing body (21) which is formed by winding an expanded graphite tape material in a spiral shape and a laminating member (22) that is bonded to an axial end surface of the packing body (21) and is formed of an annular expanded graphite sheet material, the axial end surface of the packing body (21) being provided with a protrusion (24) facing and contacting an inner peripheral portion or an outer peripheral portion of the laminating member (22) in the radial direction, in which a contact surface (27) between the protrusion (24) and the laminating member (22) is formed so that a radius changes in at least a part in the axial direction.