Helical Dynamic Seal Ring for Tolerance-Stable Snubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic seal rings in landing gear actuation systems have limited manufacturing precision, leading to variability in snubbing velocities and increased risk of failures due to inadequate sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A helically shaped dynamic seal ring with a spirally wound body and a snubbing orifice area that expands or contracts in response to the actuator piston's stroke range, positioned within a seal groove and held by a snap ring, allowing for adjustable orifice areas to optimize sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dynamic seal rings are used with limited manufacturing precision, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability is reduced due to variability in snubbing velocities and inadequate sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the seal ring by introducing a helical configuration with specific pitch and diameter ratios. This helical geometry transforms the sealing mechanism to be less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, as the spiral shape provides self-adjusting contact surfaces that maintain effective sealing across a range of dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring incorporates a dynamic element through the helical spring configuration that allows the seal to adapt its shape and contact pressure in response to operational conditions. This dynamic capability enables the seal to compensate for manufacturing variations and maintain reliable sealing performance throughout the actuator's stroke range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional seal rings with fixed geometry are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability is reduced due to sensitivity to machine tolerances and inability to optimize for varying stroke ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The helical spring configuration provides inherent dynamics, allowing the seal to expand and contract radially in response to axial forces during the actuator's stroke. This dynamic behavior enables the seal to adapt to varying stroke ranges and maintain effective sealing without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical configuration introduces curvature in multiple dimensions, creating a three-dimensional sealing surface that adapts to the cylindrical geometry of the actuator piston. This curved, spiral geometry provides better contact distribution and adaptability compared to traditional flat or simple circular seal designs.
3Reliability
If material is removed from the spirally wound body to adjust the snubbing orifice area, then the sealing performance is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows for adjustment of the snubbing orifice area by removing material from the helical structure, and this is achieved through the inherent flexibility of the spring design. The helical configuration distributes the material removal across multiple turns, which reduces the sensitivity to precise control of orifice area compared to a solid structure where material removal would create a single critical dimension.
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 helically shaped dynamic seal ring enhances sealing performance by reducing leakages and sensitivity to machine tolerances, providing a reliable and precise seal that maintains contact with the actuator piston across varying stroke ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The spirally wound body is configured to expand in response to contacting a snubbed stroke range of an actuator piston. The spirally wound body is configured to contract in response to distancing from the snubbed stroke range of the actuator piston.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A helically shaped dynamic seal ring is provided. The helically shaped dynamic seal ring includes a spirally wound body (232) and a snubbing orifice area (702, 704) formed in the spirally wound body. The spirally wound body is configured to expand in response to contacting a snubbed stroke range of an actuator piston (204). The spirally wound body is configured to contract in response to distancing from the snubbed stroke range of the actuator piston.