H-Shaped Metal Flange Seal Ring for High-Pressure Leakage Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe flange connection systems face challenges in maintaining a reliable seal at high pressures, leading to potential leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A pipe flange connection system utilizing an H-shaped metal seal ring with radially spaced lips that taper in thickness, which is elastically deformed to create a radial sealing force when the flange members are secured, requiring minimal bolt preload and allowing for multiple uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used in pipe flange connection systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seal reliability deteriorates at high pressures leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible metal seal ring with lip structures that can elastically deform under pressure. The lip portions are designed to flex and conform to the mating surfaces, maintaining sealing contact even under high pressure conditions. This flexible membrane approach allows the seal to adapt to surface irregularities and maintain reliability without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. When bolt preload is applied, the lips deform elastically to create sealing contact. The material properties and geometric parameters are optimized so that the elastic deformation increases sealing force under pressure rather than failing, allowing the seal to maintain reliability across varying pressure conditions through controlled parameter changes.
2Reliability
If high bolt preload is used to ensure sealing, then seal reliability improves, but the risk of bolt failure and structural damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is designed to be self-actuating through elastic deformation. When minimal bolt preload is applied, the lips automatically deform to create sealing contact and maintain that contact under varying pressure conditions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for high bolt preload to force sealing contact, as the seal structure itself generates the necessary sealing force through its elastic properties, thereby protecting bolt strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from requiring high static preload to utilizing elastic deformation parameters. The lips are designed with specific thickness and material properties that allow them to deform elastically under minimal preload, creating sufficient sealing force. This parameter change from high preload dependency to elastic deformation dependency reduces the strength requirements for bolts while maintaining seal reliability.
3Reliability
If the seal ring is made from soft material to improve sealing conformability, then seal reliability improves, but the lifespan deteriorates due to material deformation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is constructed from metal material that combines the benefits of both soft and hard materials. The metal provides the necessary elasticity for conformability and sealing while maintaining high strength and resistance to permanent deformation and wear. This composite approach within the metal structure allows the seal to achieve reliable conformability without the lifespan limitations of soft materials, as the metal can elastically deform and then recover without permanent set or wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter is changed from soft material to elastic metal material. This parameter change allows the seal to achieve conformability through elastic deformation rather than plastic deformation, enabling the seal to maintain its shape and sealing capability over repeated use cycles. The metal's elastic properties provide the necessary conformability while its strength properties ensure long lifespan without permanent deformation or wear.
4Reliability
If multiple seal components are used to improve sealing performance, then seal reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated metal seal ring structure. The lip portions, center bar, and sealing surfaces are combined into one monolithic component that performs all sealing functions. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate seal components, gaskets, and retaining elements, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining or improving sealing performance through the coordinated action of the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single seal ring utilizes flexible lip structures that can deform to create effective sealing contact. This flexible membrane approach within a single component achieves the sealing performance that would otherwise require multiple rigid components, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliability through the flexible sealing mechanism.
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 resists leakage at high pressures with minimal bolt preload, ensuring a reliable seal and extended lifespan of the seal ring due to its high yield strength.
Implementation Method 1
an H-shaped metal seal ring with radially spaced lips that taper in thickness, which is elastically deformed to create a radial sealing force when the flange members are secured
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe flange connection system includes a first pipe flange member and a second pipe flange member each having a bore extending therethrough and a flange section with a plurality of bolt holes spaced circumferentially around the flange section. Each flange section including an opposing face surface with an annular seal groove surrounding the bore. A plurality of bolts are disposed in the bolt holes for securing the first pipe flange member to the second pipe flange member. An annular metal seal ring is disposed between the first and second pipe flange members and having an H-shaped cross-section including a center bar portion and a first pair of radially spaced inner and outer lips extending in a first axial direction from the center bar portion and a second pair of radially spaced inner and outer lips extending in a second axial direction from the center bar portion.