Multi-material Seal Lip Portions for Harsh Fluid Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid system seals, particularly in mineral extraction and transport systems, face challenges due to harsh environmental conditions such as extreme pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids, leading to seal degradation and potential explosive decompression, with elastomeric seals being susceptible to damage and metal seals requiring higher installation forces.
Innovation Solution
An annular seal design featuring outer lip portions made of a robust material and an inner portion made of a resilient material, where the outer lip portions provide primary sealing and reduce fluid exposure to the inner portion, which is exposed only in case of outer lip portion failure, thereby enhancing seal effectiveness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric seals are used, then the seal can provide good sealing performance, but the seal is susceptible to damage from harsh environmental conditions such as extreme pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The seal combines an elastomeric inner portion with metal outer lip portions to create a composite structure. The elastomeric material provides sealing performance while the metal portions provide resistance to harsh environmental conditions including extreme pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and resistance to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal are made from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The inner portion is made from elastomeric material for sealing, while the outer lip portions are made from metal for durability in harsh conditions. This local differentiation allows each part to perform optimally under its specific operational conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metal seals are used, then the seal can resist harsh environmental conditions, but higher installation forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure uses metal outer lips for harsh condition resistance while the elastomeric inner portion requires lower installation forces, thus achieving durability without requiring excessively high installation forces that would be needed for a fully metal seal.
3Reliability
If the inner portion is exposed to harsh fluids, then the seal can provide secondary sealing, but the resilient material is susceptible to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The outer lip portions act as a protective barrier that shields the inner portion from harsh fluids. In normal operation, the outer lips bear the brunt of environmental exposure, cushioning the inner portion from direct contact with degrading substances and extending the overall seal lifespan while maintaining secondary sealing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a seal including first and second lip portions and an inner portion disposed between the first and second lip portions. The first and second lip portions may be formed from a different material than the inner portion. Additionally, the first and second lip portions may be configured to block the flow of fluid to the inner portion. Further, the first and second lip portions may be configured to block extrusion of the inner portion.