Mechanical Seal Mating Ring With Integral Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical seals face challenges with complex and costly cooling systems, potential fluid leakage, and environmental concerns due to external cooling fluid usage, especially in dry running conditions where temperature control is crucial for preventing overheating and wear.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical seal assembly with an integral heat transfer channel on the stationary seal ring allows for localized circulation of a heat transfer fluid, isolated from the process fluid, eliminating the need for external piping systems and reducing life cycle costs by enhancing operating pressure-velocity limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If external cooling fluid systems are used to cool seal rings, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal ring temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged directly into the stationary seal ring by forming cooling channels within its body. This integration eliminates the need for separate external cooling jackets, piping systems, and associated components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective cooling of the seal rings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A barrier fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that flows through the integrated cooling channels. This barrier fluid acts as a thermal mediator, absorbing heat from the seal ring surfaces and transporting it away, thereby achieving effective temperature control without requiring complex external cooling infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If external cooling fluid systems are used, then cooling capability is improved, but potential leakage points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal ring temperatureVSAvoidfluid leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is merged into the seal ring structure itself, with cooling channels formed directly within the stationary seal ring. This integration eliminates multiple external connections, joints, and seals that would otherwise serve as potential leakage points, thereby improving reliability and reducing the risk of fluid leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier fluid system is extracted and isolated from the process fluid system. The barrier fluid flows through dedicated sealed channels within the seal ring, completely separated from the process fluid. This extraction ensures that any potential leakage or contamination affects only the barrier fluid system, not the process fluid, thereby maintaining process integrity and reducing overall leakage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If cooling fluid is introduced through external systems, then thermal control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal ring temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channels are merged into the stationary seal ring as an integrated feature rather than a separate component. This allows the cooling function to be incorporated during the seal ring manufacturing process itself, eliminating the need for subsequent assembly of separate cooling jackets and piping, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channels are strategically positioned within the stationary seal ring at locations where heat generation is most significant. This localized approach concentrates cooling capability exactly where needed, allowing for efficient thermal management with minimal material and manufacturing complexity, rather than requiring comprehensive cooling of the entire seal assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution effectively cools or heats the seal rings independently of the process fluid, reducing wear and extending the mechanical seal's operational limits without introducing additional leakage points or environmental hazards, thus improving the mechanical seal's efficiency and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

an integral heat transfer channel formed directly in an outer surface of the stationary seal ring that allows for the localized circulation of a fluid, such as a heat transfer fluid, to cool or directly heat the stationary seal ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240167569A1Mechanical seal mating ring with direct thermal control

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 CHESTERTON AW CO

AI summary

A mechanical seal assembly having a gland element configured to mount to stationary equipment, a rotary seal ring for coupling to and rotating with a shaft, a stationary seal ring configured to remain stationary relative to the shaft where the stationary seal ring has a main body having an outer surface having a heat transfer channel formed therein that is sized and configured for circulating a heat transfer fluid, and a holder element for coupling the rotary seal ring to the shaft and for rotating with the shaft. The heat transfer channel can be a low pressure heat transfer channel.