Hydrogen Generator Seal Ring Automatic Reset via Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen seal rings in hydrogen-cooled generators face issues with oil leakage and failure to automatically reset after oil pressure loss, leading to potential shutdowns due to static friction and blockage of oil flow channels.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a seal ring assembly with tapered surfaces and protrusions that reduce static friction, allowing the seal rings to automatically reset and maintain oil flow by creating a passageway for oil to flow through, even when oil pressure is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If seal rings are made into segments to facilitate assembly and maintenance, then ease of manufacture and operation are improved, but static friction between segments increases, preventing automatic reset after oil pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is divided into two semicircular segments that can be assembled separately and held together by spring force. This segmentation facilitates assembly and maintenance while the spring mechanism ensures the segments remain pressed together during operation, preventing excessive static friction and enabling automatic reset capability.
2Reliability
If spring force is increased to prevent segment separation, then sealing reliability is improved, but static friction between segments increases, blocking oil flow channel
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force is applied locally at the segmented interface to maintain sealing contact, while the oil flow channel is designed with sufficient cross-sectional area and proper orientation to maintain fluid flow. This localized application of force ensures sealing reliability without creating excessive friction that would block the oil channel.
3Reliability
If seal rings are kept in contact to maintain sealing, then hydrogen sealing is improved, but oil leakage increases when oil pressure is restored after pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that maintains constant contact pressure between the seal ring segments, ensuring reliable hydrogen sealing. The spring's elastic properties allow it to compensate for pressure fluctuations, maintaining sealing effectiveness while preventing excessive contact force that would cause oil leakage during pressure restoration.
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 solution effectively minimizes oil leakage and enables the seal rings to return to their normal operating positions without causing generator shutdowns, ensuring reliable operation by reducing static friction and maintaining oil flow during pressure fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
Both the first seal ring and the second seal ring have a tapered surface configured to contact a spring, and this is spring configured to bias the first seal ring away from the second seal ring via the tapered surface
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of protrusions are configured to create a passageway to allow oil to flow through the passageway and to allow at least one of the first seal ring or the second seal ring to move into a desired position by reducing static friction between the first axial face and the second axial face
Implementation Method 3
A radial oil channel is defined between the first axial face and the second axial face... The plurality of protrusions are configured to create a passageway to allow oil to flow through the passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A seal ring assembly includes a first seal ring axially disposed from a second seal ring. The first seal ring has an axial face opposing an axial face of the second seal ring. A radial oil channel is defined between the two axial faces. Both seal rings have a tapered surface configured to contact a spring. The spring biases the seal rings away from each other via the tapered surface. Both seal rings are disposed in a radially inwardly directed channel. At least one of the seal rings have a plurality of protrusions that extend beyond the axial face. The protrusions are configured to create a passageway to allow oil to flow through the passageway and to allow at least one of the seal rings to move into a desired position by reducing static friction between the axial faces.