Multi-material Seal Core for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastomeric seals in fluid systems, such as mineral extraction and transport systems, face challenges in harsh environments due to thermal contraction and gas diffusion, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential explosive decompression.
Innovation Solution
A seal design incorporating a core with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and reduced gas permeability, made of materials like metals or thermoplastics, is integrated within an elastomeric seal body to minimize contraction and gas diffusion, enhancing sealing effectiveness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastomeric seal is used in harsh environments, then the seal provides good sealing performance under normal conditions, but the seal contracts and loses effectiveness at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal comprises a composite structure with an elastomeric seal body and an insert made of different material (metal, thermoplastic, or elastomer with different properties). This composite design allows the insert to provide dimensional stability at low temperatures while the elastomeric body maintains sealing effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and dimensional stability across temperature ranges.
2Stress or pressure
If an elastomeric seal is exposed to high pressure gas at high temperatures, then the seal can withstand the pressure, but gases diffuse across the elastomeric material causing explosive decompression
Solution Approach 1:
The insert made of metal or thermoplastic material provides a barrier against gas diffusion while the elastomeric body withstands the pressure. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties: pressure resistance from the elastomer and gas diffusion resistance from the insert.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is positioned specifically within the seal body to provide localized gas diffusion resistance in the regions most susceptible to permeation. This targeted approach enhances resistance to gas diffusion without compromising the overall pressure resistance provided by the elastomeric body.
3Reliability
If a solid core is added to the seal body, then the seal integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is nested within the seal body, with the insert fitting into a cavity or groove in the elastomeric material. This nesting approach integrates the core functionality into the existing seal structure, improving seal integrity while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the available space within the seal body.
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 seal integrity in extreme temperatures and pressures, reducing contraction and gas diffusion, thereby increasing the seal's reliability and lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
when an elastomeric seal is exposed to low temperatures, the seal may contract such that it loses effectiveness
Implementation Method 2
when a seal is exposed to high pressure gas at high temperatures, for example, gases may diffuse across the elastomeric material of the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a seal including a seal body having an exterior with a seal interface. Additionally, the system may include a core disposed internally within and surrounded by the seal body. A gas permeability of the core may be less than a gas permeability of the seal body, a coefficient of thermal expansion of the core may be less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the seal body, or a combination thereof.