Annular Seal Structure for Heated Vessels With Scale Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated vessels with planar heating elements experience leakage due to out-of-roundness of the vessel wall, causing high pressures that lead to permanent deformation of the seal and allowing lime scale to penetrate, resulting in liquid leakage and potential rust or electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
The seal features at least one discontinuity, such as a bulged area or notch, on its projections to prevent scale migration, and a tapering area on its inner surface for a tighter fit with the heating element, ensuring effective sealing despite shape deviations and scale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a resilient seal with circumferential projections is used to accommodate out-of-round vessel walls, then the seal can deform to match the vessel wall shape, but high pressures cause permanent deformation of the seal and allow lime scale penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into multiple circumferential projections (fingers) that can independently deform and move radially. This segmentation allows each projection to adapt to local variations in vessel wall shape while maintaining overall sealing integrity, preventing the entire seal from failing due to permanent deformation in one area
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design adds radial movement capability to the projections, allowing them to move in the radial dimension to accommodate out-of-round vessel walls. This dimensional freedom enables the seal to maintain contact with the vessel wall without experiencing excessive pressure that would cause permanent deformation
2Manufacturing precision
If the seal contacts the vessel wall to accommodate shape variations, then the seal can maintain sealing pressure, but lime scale can penetrate between the seal and vessel wall causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal uses flexible circumferential projections made of resilient material that can deform to conform to the vessel wall surface. This flexibility allows the seal to maintain uniform contact pressure while the smooth, conforming surface prevents lime scale from penetrating between the seal and vessel wall
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design changes the pressure distribution parameter by using multiple flexible projections that can independently adjust their contact pressure. This creates a more uniform pressure distribution that prevents lime scale penetration while accommodating vessel wall shape variations
3Area of stationary object
If the heating element plate size matches the vessel size, then the seal can surround the plate effectively, but the seal must withstand high pressures from out-of-round walls
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple circumferential projections that can independently deform and distribute the pressure from out-of-round vessel walls. This segmentation prevents concentration of stress on a single seal structure, allowing the seal to accommodate large heating element plates while withstanding high pressures
4Adaptability or versatility
If the seal is made resilient to accommodate shape variations, then the seal can deform to fit the vessel wall, but the seal may permanently deform under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal consists of multiple independent circumferential projections that can deform locally without affecting the entire seal structure. This segmentation allows the seal to accommodate shape variations through controlled elastic deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing permanent deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The seal combines multiple circumferential projections into a single integrated resilient structure. This merging allows the projections to work together to distribute and share the pressure from out-of-round vessel walls, enabling each projection to deform elastically without permanent damage
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 modified seal effectively prevents liquid leakage and scale penetration, maintaining a durable sealing function even with out-of-round vessel walls and reducing the risk of heat damage or electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the seal has one or more resilient circumferential projections, which are denoted as fingers or fins in the specification of EP 1 314 385, which extend outwardly, and which contact the vessel wall
Implementation Method 2
a heating element for supplying heat to the container space... the heat generating means may comprise a wire wound resistance heater, or a resistance heating track
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A seal (30) for use in an electrically heated vessel comprising a container space for containing liquid and a heating element for supplying heat to the container space is intended to be used at a position inside the vessel for protecting a portion of the vessel which is present at a side of the heating element facing away from the container space from penetration of liquid from the container space. To this end, the seal (30) has an annular shape and comprises at least one resilient circumferential projection (31) extending outwardly. The projection (31) has at least one discontinuity (34) in its surface (35), whereby it is possible to stop scale particles from penetrating between the seal (30) and an inner surface of the vessel, which may otherwise occur and lead to leakage problems.