Mechanical Seal Assembly With Peltier-Powered Condition Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical seal arrangements face challenges in monitoring and predicting failures due to the inability to record values directly on rotating components, high costs associated with cabling, and the limited service life of battery-powered sensors leading to frequent downtimes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal arrangement incorporating a Peltier element that generates electrical current using temperature differences to power sensor devices, allowing for their use on rotating components and extending service life, combined with energy storage and wireless data transmission for real-time processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical seals operate at high rotational speeds (e.g., 36,000 rpm), then productivity is improved, but friction and heat generation increase causing seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful friction heat generated at high rotational speeds into a beneficial cooling mechanism by integrating a Peltier element. The Peltier element uses electrical current to create a temperature difference, with the cold side absorbing heat from the seal interface and the hot side dissipating it externally, thus transforming the heat problem into a controllable thermal management solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the seal system by introducing active thermal control through the Peltier element. By controlling the electrical current through the Peltier element, the temperature at the seal interface can be actively regulated, allowing the seal to operate at high rotational speeds without exceeding temperature limits
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical seals are designed for high precision applications, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the complexity of thermal management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management function with the seal structure by integrating the Peltier element directly into the seal assembly. The cold side of the Peltier element is positioned at the seal interface while the hot side connects to a heat dissipation structure, combining cooling, sealing, and heat dissipation functions into a single integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
The Peltier element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the seal interface to prevent thermal failure, provides a mounting structure for the seal components, and acts as a heat transfer medium between the seal interface and the external environment, reducing the need for separate thermal management components
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
Enables simplified and cost-effective installation of sensors on rotating components with extended service life, reducing downtime and allowing for real-time data processing and monitoring of mechanical seal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the pelletier element has a first surface in thermal communication with the dynamic seal member and a second surface in thermal communication with the stationary seal member such that a temperature difference is generated across the peltier element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical seal assembly, comprising: a mechanical seal (2) with a rotating sliding ring (3) with a first sliding surface (30) and a stationary sliding ring (4) with a second sliding surface (40) which define a sealing gap (5) between them, at least one sensor device (6, 7) with a sensor (60, 70) and a current supply device, wherein the current supply device is a Peltier element (61, 71) which comprises a first ceramic body (62), a second ceramic body (63), and a multiplicity of semiconductor elements (64) arranged between the first and the second ceramic body (62, 63), and wherein, based on a temperature difference, the Peltier element (61, 62) generates electrical current for the current supply of the sensor (60, 70).