Hydraulic Packing Loading Assembly for Consistent Seal Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mounting techniques for packing material in mechanical seals degrade the sealing ability over time, requiring frequent adjustments or tightening to maintain a fluid seal, as the axial load on the packing material decreases due to wear.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating system that employs a packing loading assembly with a gland and an axially movable follower element, which can be energized by pressurized fluid to apply a substantially uniform and precise axial load to the packing elements, compensating for wear over time and allowing remote adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting techniques (gland bolts, Belleville washers, springs) are used to apply axial load to packing material, then initial sealing is achieved, but the axial load decreases over time due to wear and spring elongation, requiring frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulically actuated piston mechanism where hydraulic pressure is applied to a piston that converts fluid pressure into mechanical axial force. This hydraulic system maintains consistent axial load on the packing material over time, eliminating the load degradation experienced with conventional mechanical springs or Belleville washers. The hydraulic actuation allows for remote adjustment and monitoring of the packing load without requiring manual intervention at the sealing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static mechanical loading elements (springs, washers) to a dynamic hydraulic system that can actively adjust and maintain axial load. The hydraulic system enables real-time compensation for packing wear by adjusting fluid pressure, thereby maintaining optimal sealing force throughout the operational life of the packing material without the load decay inherent in elastic mechanical elements.
2Force
If conventional mechanical systems (springs, Belleville washers) are used to apply axial force, then initial compression is provided, but axial travel is limited and load decreases as springs elongate
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston system provides extensive axial travel capability limited only by the piston stroke length, far exceeding the elastic deformation range of springs or the deflection limits of Belleville washers. The hydraulic fluid is incompressible, allowing the piston to move through a large range while maintaining force application, enabling both large axial travel and sustained axial force that mechanical elastic elements cannot achieve simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If gland bolts are used to apply axial loading force, then compression is applied to packing material, but frequent adjustments are required as packing wears and axial load decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system enables remote adjustment of packing axial load through fluid pressure control at a distant location, eliminating the need for operators to physically access and adjust gland bolts at the sealing point. This remote hydraulic actuation significantly reduces maintenance time and operational disruption, as adjustments can be made without shutting down equipment or exposing operators to hazardous environments near rotating shafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical adjustment of gland bolts with an automated hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic piston automatically maintains the required axial load on packing material through fluid pressure control, eliminating the need for periodic manual intervention to tighten or adjust mechanical fasteners. This substitution of manual mechanical systems with automated hydraulic systems reduces both adjustment frequency and associated time losses.
4Reliability
If Belleville washers or conical washers are used to apply axial force, then initial load is applied to packing, but axial load decreases as washers deform and springs elongate
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston system maintains consistent axial force on the packing material by using incompressible hydraulic fluid under controlled pressure, eliminating the force degradation that occurs with deforming washers or elongating springs. The hydraulic system can compensate for packing wear and deformation while maintaining optimal sealing pressure, providing superior force consistency throughout the packing's service life compared to elastic mechanical elements that permanently deform under load.
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 maintains the sealing performance of the packing material over time without frequent adjustments, ensuring a consistent axial load on the packing elements, thereby preventing leakage and maintaining a fluid tight seal.
Implementation Method 1
The follower element can be energized by pressurized fluid to move between a pre-loaded position to a loaded position
Data Source
AI summary
A system for regulating an axial biasing force applied to a stacked set of packing elements mounted within stationary equipment, comprising a packing loading assembly for sealing a process fluid within the stationary equipment and for applying the axial biasing force to the packing elements via a pressurized fluid from a pressure regulator. The packing loading assembly includes a gland element for mounting to the stationary equipment by a plurality of gland bolts, and an external actuation subsystem for coupling to at least one of the plurality of gland bolts for applying an axial actuation force directly to the gland element in response to the pressurized fluid. The gland element in response to the axial actuation force applies the axial biasing force to the packing elements.