Hydrostatic Seal Assembly Orientation Features for Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrostatic seal assemblies face reduced effectiveness due to incorrect orientation of secondary seals, leading to compromised sealing performance and potential distortion during operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of mistake-proofing features, such as axially extending mistake-proofing protrusions, in the secondary seal assembly design to prevent incorrect installation and reduce distortion, while maintaining low weight and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secondary seals are assembled without orientation guidance, then assembly process is simple, but sealing effectiveness is reduced due to incorrect orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing the seal support with asymmetric features including a first leg and second leg of different configurations, and a mistake-proofing protrusion that extends in a specific axial direction. These asymmetric features ensure the secondary seal assembly can only be installed in the correct orientation, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while maintaining simple assembly structure.
2Reliability
If mistake-proofing features are added to prevent incorrect installation, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mistake-proofing protrusion and asymmetric leg configurations serve as simple orientation guidance features that prevent incorrect installation without adding complex mechanisms. These asymmetric elements provide reliable sealing performance while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
3Weight of stationary object
If secondary seal assembly is made lighter and more compact, then overall seal assembly size is reduced, but risk of distortion during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric leg design with the first leg having different dimensions or configuration than the second leg provides structural stability and distortion prevention while maintaining a compact, lightweight design. The mistake-proofing protrusion also contributes to structural rigidity without significantly increasing weight.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A seal assembly (300A) configured to reduce fluid flow from an axially upstream side of the seal assembly (300A) to an axially downstream side of the seal assembly (300A) includes a primary seal (10) and a secondary seal assembly (310) disposed at an axially forward end of the primary seal (10). The secondary seal assembly (310) includes a seal support (320) and a secondary seal (130). The seal support (320) includes a downstream axial face (322) disposed axially proximate to and facing the primary seal (10), an upstream axial face (324) opposite the downstream axial face (322), a body (326) extending from the downstream axial face (322) to the upstream axial face (324), a first leg (328) extending radially inward from the body (326), a second leg (330) extending radially inward from the body (326), and a mistake-proofing protrusion (380) extending from the upstream axial face (324) and in an axially upstream direction.