Hinged-Lip Axial Seal Assembly for Variable Axial Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial seals face challenges in accommodating varying axial distances between the seal assembly and radial surfaces, leading to increased loading and restricted use in applications with limited radial space due to circumferential stretching.
Innovation Solution
The axial seal assembly features an annular elastomeric seal body with a central hinge portion, allowing the outer portion to bend and remain parallel to the radial engagement surface during axial displacement, minimizing radial displacement and accommodating varying axial distances without stretching, thus maintaining effective sealing in applications with limited radial space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lip of the elastomeric body is circumferentially stretched to accommodate varying axial distances, then the seal can be positioned at different radial positions, but the loading within the seal body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is divided into two distinct portions: an inner portion that remains relatively fixed and an outer portion that can axially displace independently. This segmentation allows the outer portion to accommodate axial distance variations without requiring circumferential stretching of the entire seal body, thereby reducing loading while maintaining adaptability to different radial positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is designed with dynamic characteristics where the outer portion can axially displace relative to the inner portion in response to varying axial distances. This dynamic configuration allows the seal to adapt to different operating conditions without excessive loading, as the outer portion moves axially rather than requiring circumferential stretching.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seal body is stretched to accommodate varying axial distances, then the seal can maintain contact with the radial surface, but radial space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the accommodation mechanism from the radial dimension to the axial dimension. Instead of stretching the seal body radially to accommodate axial distance variations, the outer portion is designed to displace axially relative to the inner portion. This dimensional shift allows the seal to adapt to varying axial distances without increasing radial space requirements.
3Reliability
If the seal body is stretched to accommodate varying axial distances, then the seal can maintain sealing contact, but circumferential stretching occurs which restricts use in limited radial space
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body incorporates dynamic displacement capability where the outer portion can move axially relative to the inner portion. This dynamic design maintains reliable sealing contact with the radial surface across varying axial distances without requiring circumferential stretching, making the seal suitable for applications with limited radial space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the conflict between sealing reliability and radial space constraints by moving the accommodation mechanism to the axial dimension. The outer portion's axial displacement maintains sealing contact without circumferential stretching, enabling use in applications with limited radial space while preserving sealing reliability.
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 enables the seal assembly to maintain effective sealing across a range of axial distances with minimal radial displacement, reducing loading and expanding the applicability to spaces with limited radial space, while preventing substantial circumferential stretching.
Implementation Method 1
an annular elastomeric seal body... The seal body outer portion is configured to bend with respect to the seal body inner portion such that the seal body outer portion remains generally parallel to the engagement surface during relative axial displacement
Data Source
AI summary
An axial seal assembly is for sealing against a radial engagement surface of an outer member or an inner member disposed within a bore of the outer member. The seal assembly includes an annular case coupled with the outer member or disposed about the inner member and an annular elastomeric seal body. The seal body includes an inner portion attached to the case and an outer portion extending axially and radially from the inner portion so as to be positionable generally parallel to the radial engagement surface. The outer portion has a contact section extending generally axially from a remainder of the outer portion and being sealingly engageable with the radial engagement surface, the seal body outer portion being bendable about the seal body inner portion such that the seal body outer portion remains parallel to the engagement surface during axial displacement between the annular case and the engagement surface.