Grounded Sealing Assembly With Gap Seal for Oil-Controlled Lubrication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements with grounding elements in rotating electrical machines have a relatively short lifespan due to oil leakage, which affects the electrical connection and reduces the lifespan of the grounding element.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement with an elastic, ring-shaped sealing ring and a grounding element made from electrically conductive fleece material, featuring a gap seal with a defined radial gap to prevent excessive oil or oil fog from reaching the grounding element, thereby extending its lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the sealing ring allows oil to pass through to lubricate the grounding element, then friction and wear are reduced, but the electrical conductivity of the grounding element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gap seal as an intermediary component between the sealing ring and the grounding element. This gap seal mediates the oil flow, allowing controlled passage of small amounts of oil for lubrication while blocking excessive oil that would compromise electrical conductivity. The gap seal thus enables the grounding element to receive beneficial lubrication without suffering from oil-induced electrical property degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the radial gap height parameter of the gap seal to precisely regulate oil flow quantity. By optimizing this geometric parameter, the system achieves the right balance between providing sufficient lubrication (reducing wear) and limiting oil exposure (maintaining electrical conductivity). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between lubrication benefit and electrical property preservation.
2Reliability
If the grounding element is made electrically conductive, then electrical grounding function is achieved, but the element becomes susceptible to oil contamination that reduces its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The gap seal serves as a protective intermediary that shields the electrically conductive grounding element from excessive oil contamination. It allows minimal oil passage for necessary lubrication while preventing the oil accumulation that would degrade the grounding element's electrical properties and reduce its service life, thus protecting the electrical grounding function over extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different oil exposure zones: the gap seal area experiences controlled oil exposure for lubrication, while the grounding element's electrical contact surfaces experience minimal oil exposure. This local differentiation of oil exposure quality allows the grounding element to maintain its electrical conductive properties while still receiving beneficial lubrication where needed.
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 described sealing arrangement significantly extends the lifespan of the grounding element by controlling oil and oil fog exposure, maintaining electrical conductivity, and reducing wear through controlled lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
The gap seal is arranged in the axial direction between the first sealing flange, which bears against the rotating component, and the grounding element, such that a first space is formed between the sealing ring and the gap seal to provide a collecting space for oil or oil mist from the oil-filled area
Implementation Method 2
The sealing arrangement comprises an elastic, annular sealing ring made of an elastic material with a first and a second sealing flange, which are connected to one another via a substantially radially extending connecting region
Implementation Method 3
The grounding element is arranged on the rear side of the connecting region and is designed to electrically connect the rotating component to a stationary housing part and thus ensure potential equalization
Implementation Method 4
a small amount of oil defined by the gap seal may be present on the grounding element at a contact area of the grounding element with the rotating component, which does not significantly reduce the electrical conductivity of the grounding element, but can reduce friction between the grounding element and the rotating component during operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a first area (11) from a second, oil-filled area (12) on a rotating component (13), comprising a sealing ring (2) made of an elastic material with a substantially C-shaped cross-section, a first sealing flange (21), a second sealing flange (22), and a connection area (20), wherein the first sealing flange (21) and the second sealing flange (22) are arranged on a front side (23) of the connection area (20) facing the second area (12), an earthing element (3) which is arranged on a rear side (24) of the connection area (20) and is configured to electrically connect the rotating component (13) to a stationary housing component (14), and a gap seal (4) which is arranged in the axial direction (XX) between a sealing contact (25) of the first sealing flange (21) on the rotating component (13) and the earthing element (3).wherein the gap seal (4) is arranged to maintain a gap (5) to the rotating component (13) in order to, on the one hand, ensure protection of the grounding element from oil contamination and, on the other hand, to supply oil or oil mist to the grounding element (3) in a defined manner depending on a gap height of the gap (5) in order to enable contact lubrication between the grounding element (3) and the rotating component (13) without impairing the electrical properties of the grounding element (3).