Labyrinth Seal Upstream of Shaft Seal for Rotary Bore Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for producing bores in the ground face significant wear issues in their rotary seal arrangements due to high mechanical loads and contaminants, leading to increased downtime and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a labyrinth seal arrangement upstream of the shaft seal, which extends the sealing path and reduces contaminant exposure to the shaft seal, along with separate lubricant feed channels for optimal sealing and wear reduction, and facilitating assembly through specific ring and groove configurations on housing and rotary covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shaft seal is used to seal the rotary lead-through, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but wear increases due to high mechanical loads and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two separate components: a labyrinth seal for preliminary contamination barrier and a shaft seal for primary sealing. This segmentation allows each seal to perform its specific function optimally, with the labyrinth seal protecting the shaft seal from contaminants and mechanical loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the shaft seal. It provides a preliminary barrier that reduces contaminant exposure to the shaft seal, thereby protecting the shaft seal from high mechanical loads and reducing wear.
2Reliability
If a shaft seal is used alone, then sealing is provided, but downtime due to seal failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinth seal is positioned upstream to provide preliminary protection against contaminants before they reach the shaft seal. This prior cushioning reduces the mechanical loads on the shaft seal, preventing premature failure and reducing downtime for seal replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal serves as a protective intermediary that reduces contaminant exposure to the shaft seal, thereby extending the service life of the shaft seal and reducing downtime due to seal failures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a labyrinth seal is added upstream of the shaft seal, then wear on the shaft seal is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two functional parts: the labyrinth seal for contamination barrier and the shaft seal for primary sealing. This segmentation, while adding a component, divides the sealing function to reduce wear on the critical shaft seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal structure serves multiple functions: it provides a contamination barrier, reduces mechanical loads on the shaft seal, and can be integrated into the existing housing structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single component.
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 labyrinth seal significantly reduces wear on the shaft seal, decreases downtime due to seal failures, and allows for easier maintenance by isolating the shaft seal from contaminants and enabling targeted lubrication, thus enhancing the operational reliability of the device.
Implementation Method 1
A labyrinth seal is arranged upstream of the shaft seal when viewed from an outside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a shaft seal which acts between a cylindrical first sealing face of the spindle and, concentrically thereto, a second sealing face of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A device for producing a bore in the ground includes a spindle comprising a rotary lead-through and a first sealing face configured to be cylindrical. The spindle is configured so as to be rotatably led through a housing via the rotary lead-through. The housing comprises a second sealing face configured to be concentric with respect to the first sealing face. A rotary seal arrangement is configured to seal the rotary lead-through of the spindle through the housing. The rotary seal arrangement comprises a shaft seal configured to act between the first sealing face of the spindle and the second sealing face of the housing. A labyrinth seal is arranged upstream of the shaft seal when viewed from an outside of the housing.