Metal Mesh Pump Seal Assembly for Heat-Driven Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power pumps, particularly those used in hydraulic fracturing operations, experience rapid seal degradation due to fluctuating pressures and elevated temperatures, leading to increased downtime and reduced efficiency, especially when exposed to abrasive and corrosive fluids.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a packing assembly seal with an annular seal body made of metal mesh to enhance thermal conductivity, allowing heat transfer to surrounding components and reducing the seal's temperature, thereby extending its service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional seal materials are used in high-power pumps, then the pump can operate at high pressures and flow rates, but the seals degrade quickly due to elevated temperatures and abrasive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is constructed as a composite material combining a metal mesh framework with an elastomeric material. The metal mesh provides thermal conductivity to dissipate heat, while the elastomeric material provides sealing properties. This composite structure enables the seal to withstand both high temperatures and maintain effective sealing in high-power pump applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seals are used in harsh conditions with abrasive particles and corrosive fluids, then the pump can handle demanding fluid transfer, but the seals experience accelerated wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The composite seal structure combines the durability and thermal stability of metal mesh with the chemical resistance and sealing effectiveness of elastomeric material. This allows the seal to resist degradation from abrasive particles and corrosive fluids while maintaining its sealing function in demanding fluid transfer applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the seal material by incorporating metal mesh with high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance into the elastomeric matrix. This parameter change enables the seal to withstand harsh conditions including abrasive particles and corrosive fluids that would otherwise accelerate degradation.
3Device complexity
If conventional seal designs are used, then the pump structure remains simple, but heat accumulation causes seal degradation and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates a metal mesh framework within an elastomeric material, creating a composite structure that provides thermal pathways for heat dissipation. This relatively simple composite design enables effective heat transfer from the seal body without requiring complex cooling systems, thereby reducing seal temperature and extending service life.
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 use of metal mesh in the seal body reduces temperature and extends the service life of the seals, minimizing damage, deformation, wear, and leakage, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The annular seal body may include a metal mesh, thereby to enhance thermal conductivity between the packing assembly seal and one or more of the first component or the second component, so as to transfer heat from the packing assembly seal to one or more of the first component or the second component
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, assemblies, apparatuses, and methods herein may provide an enhanced fluid seal between two components. A seal to enhance a fluid seal between a surface of a first component of a pump and a surface of a second component of the pump may include an annular seal body having a seal body surface and a seal cross-section at least partially defined by the seal body surface. The annular seal body may include a metal mesh, thereby to enhance thermal conductivity between the seal and one or more of the first component or the second component, so as to transfer heat from the seal to one or more of the first component or the second component, thereby to reduce a temperature of the seal and extend a service life of the seal.