Multi-Seal Assembly for Pressure Vessel Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for pressure vessels, such as those used in fuel cells, experience leakage issues due to O-rings contracting at lower temperatures, allowing fluid to escape, and this problem persists across varying temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising multiple seals with specific thermal expansion properties, including a support member with first and second portions, and additional seals within the vessel's boss and valve, forming interstices to maintain fluid-tight seals across a range of temperatures and pressures by adjusting their positions in response to thermal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single O-ring seal is used in the valve housing groove, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the seal fails at lower temperatures when the O-ring contracts radially inwardly forming a passage that permits fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a first seal (O-ring) in the valve housing groove for sealing at normal temperatures, and a second seal (conical seal) in the boss that activates at lower temperatures. This segmentation allows each seal to handle specific temperature ranges, preventing leakage while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in seal geometry and material properties. The conical seal's angled surface (e.g., 30-60 degrees) and the differential thermal contraction between the conical seal and liner create a wedging action at low temperatures that forces the seal against the liner, maintaining sealing effectiveness across varying temperature conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the O-ring contracts at lower temperatures to form a passage, then thermal contraction is a natural physical response, but this causes fluid leakage through the formed passage
Solution Approach 1:
The conical seal is pre-positioned in the boss with its sealing surface oriented to counteract the harmful effect of thermal contraction. When temperature drops and the liner contracts, the conical seal's geometry and the resulting wedging action create a preliminary counter-force that prevents passage formation and maintains seal integrity before leakage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful thermal contraction of the liner into a beneficial wedging action. As the liner contracts at low temperatures, it forces the conical seal against the liner surface with increased contact pressure, transforming the potential harm of contraction into an enhanced sealing mechanism that prevents leakage.
3Reliability
If a seal assembly is designed to maintain sealing across various temperatures and pressures, then sealing reliability is improved, but the complexity and cost of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly achieves multi-functionality by integrating two seals with different operational characteristics into a single unified structure. The first O-ring seal handles normal temperature and pressure conditions, while the second conical seal activates for low-temperature conditions. This universal design allows one assembly to cover a broad range of operating conditions without requiring multiple separate sealing systems.
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 seal assembly effectively prevents fluid leakage across a wide range of temperatures and pressures by utilizing seals with different thermal expansion coefficients, ensuring reliable and cost-effective sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
seals with different thermal expansion coefficients, ensuring reliable and cost-effective sealing performance
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly is disclosed including a support member, a first seal, a second seal spaced apart from the first seal, and a third seal, wherein the first seal militates against a leakage of fluid when an interior of an article to be sealed is subjected to at least one of temperatures below a predetermined temperature and pressures below a predetermined pressure, and the second seal and the third seal militate against the leakage of fluid when the interior of the article to be sealed is subjected to at least one of temperatures above the predetermined temperature and pressures above the predetermined pressure.