Hydraulically Supported Face Seal for High-Pressure CO2
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face seal systems fail to effectively withstand very high pressure differentials, particularly in supercritical CO2 systems, due to limitations in mechanical spring support which can degrade over time.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically supported seal system utilizing a piston and cylinder mechanism, where a piston shaft is disposed through a housing and hydraulically biased by a hydraulic fluid within a cylinder, with a regulated hydraulic circuit maintaining seal face integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical spring is used to support the seal, then the seal can be biased with a fixed limited range of forces, but the spring forces degrade over time and cannot withstand very high pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic actuator uses fluid pressure to generate and maintain the seal biasing force, eliminating the degradation issues inherent in mechanical springs. The hydraulic system can sustain very high pressures (1000 psi and above) indefinitely without force degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuator that uses hydraulic fluid under pressure to bias the seal against the seal plate. The hydraulic circuit maintains controlled pressure to ensure the seal faces remain in contact with sufficient force to withstand the high pressure differential across the seal, providing reliable and stable sealing performance.
2Force
If a hydraulic circuit is introduced to support the seal, then stable sealing forces can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator serves multiple functions: it biases the seal against the seal plate, compensates for wear and dimensional variations, and maintains sealing force under varying operating conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing superior seal performance and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary that transmits force from the hydraulic circuit to the seal. This fluid mediator allows for smooth, controlled application of sealing force and enables the system to respond dynamically to pressure changes while maintaining stable seal contact.
3Ease of operation
If the piston shaft is disposed through the housing, then the piston can be hydraulically biased, but additional sealing is required to prevent cross-contamination between CO2 and hydraulic fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into separate compartments: the high-pressure CO2 chamber and the hydraulic fluid chamber. The piston shaft passes through a sealed interface between these compartments, with secondary seals creating distinct fluid zones. This segmentation prevents mixing of CO2 and hydraulic fluid while allowing mechanical force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary seals are introduced as intermediary elements at the piston shaft interface. These seals act as barriers that prevent direct contact between the CO2 and hydraulic fluid, allowing the piston shaft to transmit hydraulic force to the seal while maintaining fluid isolation. The secondary seals are specifically positioned to block contaminant migration between the two fluid systems.
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 provides stable sealing forces capable of withstanding high pressure differentials, maintaining seal integrity and preventing cross-contamination between high-pressure CO2 and hydraulic fluid.
Implementation Method 1
the piston is hydraulically biased by a hydraulic fluid within the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulically supported seal including a seal plate operatively coupled with a seal, the seal being supported by a seal carrier within a housing; a piston having a piston shaft, the piston being in operative communication with the seal opposite the seal plate, the piston shaft being disposed through the housing through a piston receiver formed in the housing; a cylinder operatively coupled to the piston opposite the seal; and wherein the piston is hydraulically biased by a hydraulic fluid within the cylinder.