Movable Sealing Element With Elastic Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems in machines, particularly turbomachines, face challenges with small clearances that make assembly difficult and increase the likelihood of collisions due to vibrations and temperature-induced displacements, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system that balances pressure and push forces using an elastic element, allowing the sealing element to move within defined recesses to maintain small clearances and absorb shocks, thereby reducing the risk of collisions and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small clearances are used between sealing element and component, then sealing performance is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The element can move axially within its housing to accommodate thermal expansion, vibrations, and manufacturing tolerances, maintaining effective sealing contact while avoiding collisions that would occur with rigid fixed-position sealing elements
2Reliability
If small clearances are used between sealing element and component, then sealing performance is improved, but collision risk increases due to vibrations and temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates an elastic element (such as a spring) that provides pre-compression and cushioning force. This elastic element absorbs thermal expansion forces and vibration impacts before they can cause collisions between the sealing element and the component, protecting both elements from damage while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element's position and contact force are made variable through the elastic element. The system dynamically adjusts the sealing element's axial position and contact pressure in response to changing operating conditions such as temperature variations and vibrations, maintaining optimal sealing while preventing collisions
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 effectively maintains small clearances during operation, reduces the risk of collisions, and simplifies assembly by using fewer elastic elements and a compact design, enhancing the performance and reliability of turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element of the machine arranged to act on the sealing element so to counteract both the pressure force and the push force
Implementation Method 2
a fluid of the machine applies a pressure force on the sealing element in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
The sealing system (1) for a machine comprises: a sealing element (4) that is movable back and forth along a direction (D) and that comprises a first recess (41) with first and second surfaces (42, 43), a component (2) of an assembly of the machine that comprises a second recess (21) with first and second surfaces (22, 23), and an elastic element (5). The first and second recesses (41, 21) face each other. The elastic element (5) is partially housed inside the first recess (41) and partially housed inside the second recess (21) so to apply forces on the first and second surfaces (42, 22, 43, 23) depending on where the sealing element (4) is positioned with respect to the component (2).