Guided-Vane Rotary Apparatus Sealing Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guided-vane rotary apparatuses face inefficiencies due to flow communication between working chambers, which impairs their pumping efficiency as positive displacement machines.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a housing with a seal-accepting recess, a rotor assembly with a cam groove, and vane assemblies that move radially to maintain sealing engagement with the housing walls, utilizing a sealing ring and biasing means to prevent flow communication between chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional designs are used without additional sealing means, then the structure remains simple, but flow communication between working chambers occurs which impairs pumping efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor assembly and housing to prevent flow communication between working chambers. The sealing ring accepts a seal from the rotor assembly and presses it against the housing, creating an effective barrier without requiring complex integrated sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is divided into separate components: a sealing ring mounted in the housing, a seal on the rotor assembly, and biasing means. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and replacement compared to an integrated sealing system.
2Reliability
If sealing means are added to prevent flow communication, then pumping efficiency improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring acts as an intermediary that simplifies the overall sealing system. It provides a standardized interface between the rotor seal and housing, ensuring reliable sealing while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing means applies controlled force to maintain optimal contact pressure between the seal and housing surfaces. This parameter control ensures reliable sealing under varying operating conditions without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
3Productivity
If the vane assembly is allowed to move freely radially, then the structure is simpler, but flow communication between chambers occurs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The vane assembly is designed to move dynamically between radial positions while maintaining sealing contact. The cam groove and biasing means work together to coordinate this radial movement, ensuring the seal remains engaged with the housing throughout the operational cycle without restricting necessary motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing means provides continuous feedback force to the vane assembly, maintaining optimal sealing pressure as the vanes move radially. This automatic adjustment ensures consistent sealing effectiveness without requiring external control mechanisms.
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 reduces flow communication between working chambers, enhancing the sealing efficiency and operational effectiveness of the guided-vane rotary apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means are disposed between the bottom surface of the seal-accepting recess and the rear face of the sealing ring axially with respect to the housing body opening for urging the front face of the sealing ring against the inner side face of the disk
Implementation Method 2
vane assemblies that move radially to maintain sealing engagement with the housing walls
Data Source
AI summary
A guided-vane rotary apparatus having working chambers and rotor hub sectors which are separated from one another by vane assemblies and which rotate within a housing opening embody features which reduce the likelihood of flow communication between the working chambers. To this end, the apparatus includes sealing arrangements which are disposed between the walls of the housing opening and the vane assemblies and between the vane assemblies and the hub sectors between which the vane assemblies are positioned. Furthermore, the housing is provided with seal-accepting recesses adjacent its opening, and a sealing ring is closely accepted by each recess. Wave springs are disposed between the bottom of the recesses and the sealing rings for biasing the sealing rings axially of the apparatus and into sealing engagement with adjacent surfaces of the apparatus.