Interlocking Face Seal Assembly with Convex-Concave Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spring energized lip seals often experience separation between the sealing element and the backup ring during use or assembly due to their non-mechanical attachment, which can lead to ineffective sealing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming a sealing element with a convex outer surface and a backup ring with a concave inner surface, allowing the sealing element to be retained within the backup ring, with a spring biased against the sealing flanges, creating a mechanical engagement that prevents separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sealing element and backup ring are not mechanically attached, then the sealing element can be easily replaced, but separation between components occurs during use or assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element and backup ring are merged into a single interlocking assembly where the sealing element is retained within the backup ring through complementary geometric features (convex outer surface of sealing element fitting into concave inner surface of backup ring). This combination ensures they move together as one unit, preventing separation during assembly and use while maintaining ease of replacement as a complete assembly.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is retained within the backup ring, then separation is prevented, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup ring is divided into two separate parts that can be assembled around the sealing element. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be retained within the backup ring structure without requiring a complex monolithic backup ring design. The two parts of the backup ring work together to provide the concave inner surface that retains the sealing element while keeping the overall assembly relatively simple.
3Reliability
If the sealing element has a convex outer surface for interlocking, then mechanical engagement is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The convex outer surface of the sealing element and concave inner surface of the backup ring are designed with specific geometric features (such as tapered surfaces with an apex or flat surface therebetween) that concentrate the mechanical engagement at critical locations. This local quality approach ensures reliable interlocking while allowing broader areas to have more relaxed tolerance requirements, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision demands.
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 ensures a secure interlocking face seal assembly that minimizes the risk of separation during installation and service, providing reliable sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
having a spring located in a spring cavity defined by two sealing flanges and a center channel section
Implementation Method 2
the spring is biased against an inside surface of each of the two sealing flanges
Data Source
AI summary
Supported face seal assemblies and related methods are disclosed. The supported face seal assemblies have spring energized seal element supported by a backing ring. When the two components are joined, they form an interlocking face seal assembly that is less prone to separate during installation and/or service. The methods disclosed include the steps of forming a spring energized sealing element with a convex outer surface, forming a backup or support ring with a concave inner surface, assembling the sealing element into the inner bore of the backup or support ring such that the concave inner surface accepts a portion of the convex outer surface and the sealing element is retained within the backup or support ring.