Lobed Lip Seal Geometry for Tolerance-Induced Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing members, such as o-rings, often leak at discrete locations due to thin component geometries and manufacturing tolerances, especially in intricate pathways like spiral-shaped seal grooves.
Innovation Solution
The proposed sealing member features an elongated monolithic body with specific geometrical configurations, including elliptical nodes and lobes, which provide enhanced sealing contact by adapting to the seal groove and ridge geometries, even in displaced positions or with enlarged seal grooves due to corrosion/erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional o-ring sealing member is used in thin component geometries, then the sealing member can be installed in the seal groove, but the sealing member leaks at discrete locations due to manufacturing tolerances and thin geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates lobes with rounded tips that concentrate sealing force at specific discrete locations along the seal groove. These lobes create localized high-pressure contact zones that ensure sealing at critical points, compensating for variations in the overall seal groove geometry and manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member geometry is changed from a uniform circular cross-section to a non-uniform shape with lobes having different dimensions. The lobes have greater thickness and rounded tips compared to the base body, creating variable local parameters that adapt to seal groove irregularities and ensure reliable sealing contact.
2Shape
If the seal groove and sealing member are made thin to meet component geometry requirements, then the component design is satisfied, but the sealing member leaks at discrete locations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member uses lobes with rounded tips to concentrate sealing force at specific discrete locations, ensuring reliable sealing even when the overall component thickness is reduced. This localized quality approach maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring increased overall component dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lobes incorporate rounded tips with curved surfaces that better conform to the seal groove geometry. This curvature allows the sealing member to adapt to thin component geometries while maintaining effective sealing contact, as the rounded surfaces can deform and conform to irregularities more effectively than sharp edges.
3Reliability
If the sealing member follows an intricate spiral-shaped pathway, then the sealing requirement is met, but the sealing member is several feet long and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is divided into distinct segments including the base body and multiple lobes along its length. This segmentation allows each lobe to independently contact the seal groove at discrete locations, ensuring sealing coverage along the intricate spiral pathway while maintaining a manageable overall structure that can be manufactured and installed more easily than a continuous uniform seal.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing member includes a monolithic body including a first portion adjoining a second portion. The first portion forms part of a circle. The second portion includes first and second lobes. Each lobe adjoins the first portion with a concave surface. In one example, each lobe includes a rounded tip, and a convex surface extends from one rounded tip to the other rounded tip.