Magnetic Seal System Axial Movement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic seals in rotating systems face challenges with high magnetic attraction requirements, leading to difficult installation and variability in face load, as well as issues with axial movement tracking due to high packing squeeze, which affects sealing integrity.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic seal system comprising a rotating annular seal assembly and a non-rotating biasing assembly with an axially displaceable annular magnet unit and a bias member unit, where the annular magnet unit is magnetically and non-magnetically biased to form a sealing interface with the annular seal, combining magnetic attraction and non-magnetic biasing forces for effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a preformed packing is used to transmit rotating motion between the shaft and seal, then sealing integrity is maintained, but installation difficulty increases and face load variability occurs due to higher than normal packing squeeze requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The packing is divided into multiple segments rather than using a single preformed packing. This segmentation allows each segment to be installed independently with lower squeeze requirements, reducing installation difficulty while maintaining sealing integrity through the combined action of multiple segments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the squeeze parameter from high (preformed packing) to low (segmented packing). By reducing the packing squeeze requirement, the system becomes easier to install while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the segmented structure that distributes the sealing load
2Reliability
If a high packing squeeze is applied to prevent slippage between the seal and shaft, then sealing integrity is improved, but the seal's ability to track axial movements of the shaft deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented packing structure allows each segment to move independently axially while maintaining contact with the shaft. This segmentation enables the seal to track axial movements of the shaft without requiring high packing squeeze, thereby maintaining both sealing integrity and adaptability to axial movements
Solution Approach 2:
The packing segments are designed to be dynamic rather than rigidly fixed. Each segment can adjust its position axially to follow shaft movements, providing adaptive sealing that maintains integrity while accommodating axial displacement through the dynamic response of individual segments
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient sealing mechanism that addresses installation difficulties and axial movement issues, ensuring consistent sealing integrity by combining magnetic and non-magnetic forces, thereby enhancing the performance of magnetic seals in rotating systems.
Implementation Method 1
the annular magnet unit exerting an attracting force on the annular seal assembly to biasingly displace the annular magnet unit towards the annular seal
Implementation Method 2
a bias member unit non-magnetically biasing the annular magnet unit axially relative to the shaft towards the annular seal
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic seal system adapted for use between a support structure and a rotatable shaft. The seal system includes a rotating annular seal assembly surrounding the shaft and rotating therewith, which includes an annular seal, and a non-rotating biasing assembly sealingly mounted to the support structure around the shaft and axially engaging the annular seal assembly. The biasing assembly includes an annular magnet unit axially displaceable relative to the shaft and supported surrounding the shaft. The annular magnet unit exerting an attracting force on the annular seal assembly to biasingly displace the annular magnet unit towards the annular seal. A bias member unit is also provided for non-magnetically biasing the annular magnet unit axially relative to the shaft towards the annular seal. Adjacent contacting surfaces between the annular seal and the annular magnet unit biasingly contact one another to form a sealing interface therebetween.