JED Seal Projections for Spline Lubrication and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spline joint seals in machinery, such as those in gas turbine engines, fail to provide adequate lubrication and debris removal due to their fluid-tight nature, leading to heat buildup and reduced component life.
Innovation Solution
A JED seal with an annular seal body and circumferentially spaced projections that allow lubricating fluid to flow through while maintaining a fluid-tight seal, using radial and axial components to facilitate fluid flow and debris removal without the need for adhesives, and can be retrofitted into existing grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid-tight seal (such as an o-ring seal) is employed to halt fluid flow and keep the spline area submerged in lubricating fluid, then the lubrication is improved, but heat generated due to misalignment or operating conditions cannot be removed and debris generated by spline wear is trapped, reducing component part life and accelerating wear
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple sealing elements arranged in series around the spline joint. Each sealing element has a specific orientation and positioning that allows it to block fluid flow in one direction while permitting lubricating fluid to pass through in the opposite direction, thereby segmenting the fluid control function across multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
Each sealing element is specifically oriented and positioned to provide different local functions: blocking fluid flow upstream while allowing lubricant passage downstream. This local differentiation of sealing properties enables the seal to simultaneously prevent harmful fluid ingress while allowing beneficial lubricant flow and heat dissipation
2Ease of manufacture
If merely allowing a lubricating fluid to pass over the splines is done, then the construction is simple, but the lubricating fluid is thrust outwardly or radially from the rotating members due to high rotational speeds and loads such that the contact area of the spline teeth experience insufficient lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed to dynamically respond to fluid pressure and rotational motion. The flexible sealing material deforms under pressure to maintain sealing contact while allowing controlled fluid passage, adapting its configuration to the dynamic operating conditions of the spline joint
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements act as intermediaries between the harmful outward thrust of lubricating fluid and the need for adequate lubrication. They selectively block harmful fluid flow while permitting beneficial lubricant passage, mediating between opposing fluid dynamics requirements
3Reliability
If a seal is employed to form a barrier on one side of the spline joint, then the fluid-tight connection is achieved, but the ability to permit the lubricating fluid to flow-through and exit the spline joint is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The seal operates with periodic fluid flow characteristics, blocking fluid flow during one phase of rotation while allowing passage during another phase. This periodic sealing action enables the system to maintain fluid-tight connections when needed while permitting lubricant flow and cooling when conditions are favorable
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of blocking all fluid flow in one direction as conventional seals do, this seal inverts the approach by allowing fluid flow in the beneficial direction (outward for cooling and debris removal) while blocking harmful flow (inward contamination). The sealing function is applied selectively rather than universally
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 JED seal effectively lubricates spline joints, allows for cooling and debris removal, and extends the service life of components by ensuring adequate lubrication and heat dissipation while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a JED seal with an annular seal body and circumferentially spaced projections that allow lubricating fluid to flow through while maintaining a fluid-tight seal, using radial and axial components to facilitate fluid flow and debris removal
Implementation Method 2
seals are located in numerous locations such as on rotors, input shafts, output shafts, etc., and can be used in numerous systems such as motors, generators, transmissions and gearbox assemblies
Implementation Method 3
The spline area is provided with a lubricating fluid, such as oil, in an attempt to reduce wear on the spline joint teeth
Implementation Method 4
heat generated due to misalignment or operating conditions cannot be removed
Implementation Method 5
debris generated by spline wear is trapped thereby reducing component part life and accelerating wear
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing element for a shaft coupling is disclosed. The sealing element may include an annular seal body and a plurality of projections circumferentially spaced around the seal body. One or more of the plurality of projections may include at least one of an axial component extending longitudinally in an axial direction from the seal body and/or a radial component extending radially inwards from the seal body towards the center axis. The sealing element is configured to retrofit into existing standard o-ring grooves and provides optimal lubrication, for example in a spline joint, by keeping the spline joint contact area submerged in lubricant and includes heat and debris removal with lubricant flow-through.