Hammer Union Sealing Pocket Geometry to Prevent Seal Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hammer union assemblies experience seal failure due to softening of flexible rubber seals under high pressure fluids and damage of rigid composite material seals during assembly, leading to leaks and displacement of seals within the conduit path.
Innovation Solution
A hammer union design featuring a sealing ring captured between a male pipe member and a female pipe member with a sealing pocket having an arcuate, vertical, and recessed groove portion, which deforms to engage an increased surface area during assembly, ensuring a secure seal and preventing displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soft flexible rubber seals are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to softening under high pressure fluids causing seal displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring cross-section is designed with curved surfaces including an arcuate outer surface and rounded corners instead of sharp 90-degree angles. This curvature allows the seal to deform smoothly under axial loading during assembly while maintaining contact with the sealing surfaces, preventing displacement under high pressure fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring geometry is modified by changing parameters such as corner radii and surface curvature. The rounded corners and arcuate surfaces alter the deformation characteristics of the seal, enabling it to withstand high pressure fluids without softening and displacing, while still allowing easy assembly through controlled deformation.
2Reliability
If rigid composite material seals with metal inserts are used, then reliability is improved during assembly, but durability deteriorates due to damage during assembly of the threaded union nut
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed as a flexible element with specific geometric features including rounded corners and arcuate surfaces. This flexibility allows the seal to deform during assembly of the threaded union nut without cracking or damaging metal inserts, while maintaining its integrity and extending its service life under high pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing sharp corners with rounded geometries and incorporating arcuate surfaces, the sealing ring can accommodate assembly deformations without stress concentration points that would lead to cracking. This extends the seal's service life while maintaining reliability during the assembly process.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional sealing rings with 90 degree edges are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fluid flow displacing the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring incorporates rounded corners and arcuate outer surfaces instead of sharp 90-degree edges. This curved geometry prevents fluid flow from creating leverage that would displace the seal, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple using standard sealing ring fabrication methods with modified tooling paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the sealing ring are modified by introducing rounded corners with specific radii and arcuate surfaces. These parameter changes prevent seal displacement under fluid flow while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional fabrication processes with adjusted design specifications.
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 deformation of the sealing ring creates a secure, air and water-tight seal that maintains integrity under high pressure fluid flow, reducing the likelihood of seal displacement and leaks.
Implementation Method 1
deforming the sealing ring by generating an axial force against the union nut thereby forcing and capturing a portion of the sealing ring between the male pipe member and the female pipe member
Data Source
AI summary
A hammer union is provided for reducing and, in most instances, eliminating the likelihood of sealing ring displacement during fluid operations. The hammer union comprises a male pipe member, a union nut placed over the male pipe member, a female pipe member, and a sealing ring. The female pipe member includes a sealing pocket having an arcuate portion, a vertical portion, a base, and a recessed groove. The sealing ring is captured between the male pipe member and the female pipe member such that the sealing ring engages the sealing pocket of the female pipe member at each of the arcuate portion, the vertical portion, the base, and the recessed groove.