Multi-Ring Gasket for High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure systems in the oil industry face challenges with existing gaskets that cannot sustain large radial forces and resultant stresses, leading to inadequate sealing and safety concerns due to single-barrier seals that wear out over time.
Innovation Solution
A gasket design featuring multiple seal rings and a connector member, made from materials like INCONEL, with retaining and removal features, capable of distributing forces and maintaining a high-performance seal across various cycles and temperature ranges, even under misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single seal barrier is used in existing gaskets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to wear from operation, pressure surges, and unforeseen instances
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into multiple independent seal rings (first seal ring, second seal ring, third seal ring) connected by connector members, creating a segmented multi-barrier seal system that improves reliability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple seal rings are nested within the same gasket structure, with each seal ring providing an additional sealing barrier. The connector members interconnect these nested seal rings, allowing them to function together as an integrated multi-barrier system
2Strength
If existing gaskets are used in high pressure systems, then the device complexity remains simple, but the strength deteriorates under large radial forces exceeding 1,000,000 lbs
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket structure is segmented into multiple seal rings and connector members, distributing the high radial forces across multiple load-bearing elements rather than concentrating stress in a single structure, thereby increasing overall strength
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket employs composite construction with seal rings made from different materials (e.g., metal, metal alloy, plastic, rubber, ceramic, glass) to combine the strength properties of various materials, enabling the gasket to withstand extreme radial forces
3Reliability
If a multi-barrier seal with multiple seal rings is implemented, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seal rings and connector members are merged into a single integrated gasket assembly that functions as one unified component during installation and operation, reducing the practical complexity despite having multiple internal elements
Solution Approach 2:
The connector members serve multiple functions: connecting seal rings together, distributing loads, and potentially providing alignment features, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized components and managing complexity through multi-functional design
Data Source
AI summary
A gasket capable of sealing against multiple sealing surfaces, comprising an inner seal ring for sealing against inner sealing surfaces, an outer seal ring for sealing against outer sealing surfaces, one or more intermediate seal rings for sealing against one or more intermediate sealing surfaces, and a connector member for connecting the inner seal ring, one or more intermediate seal rings and the outer seal ring. In some embodiments, the gasket includes a retaining feature for securing the gasket in place and a removal feature for removing the gasket. In some embodiments, the various components of the gasket (e.g., seal rings, connector members, retaining feature, etc.) are composed of different materials (e.g., metal, metal alloy, plastic, rubber, ceramic and/or glass).