Multi-Surface Seal Structure for Lateral Movement Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals fail to provide simultaneous sealing at multiple surfaces effectively, especially when components require lateral movement while maintaining a fluid-tight seal.
Innovation Solution
A seal design featuring a closed-loop seal body with inner and outer walls, lateral wings for radial sealing, and raised portions for face sealing, along with reinforcements in reliefs for added support and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional O-ring seal is used in a groove, then it can provide sealing between nested cylinders, but it cannot provide simultaneous sealing at multiple surfaces (inner diameter, outer diameter, and face surfaces)
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is segmented into multiple functional regions: an inner wall for inner diameter sealing, an outer wall for outer diameter sealing, and upper/lower surfaces with raised portions and wings for face surface sealing. Each segment independently contacts a different surface to provide comprehensive multi-surface sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a traditional single-surface sealing approach to multi-surface sealing by utilizing three-dimensional geometry. The seal body extends in multiple dimensions with inner and outer walls for radial sealing and raised portions/wings for axial face sealing, effectively sealing in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If components are allowed to move laterally with respect to each other, then lateral movement is enabled, but maintaining a fluid-tight seal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates resilient materials and flexible geometric features that allow dynamic adaptation to lateral movements. The raised portions and wings can deform and reposition themselves to maintain sealing contact with the mating surfaces even when components move laterally relative to each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is constructed from resilient material that provides flexibility while maintaining sealing integrity. This flexible construction allows the seal to accommodate lateral movements between components while continuously maintaining fluid-tight sealing across all contact surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal body is made entirely from resilient material, then it provides good sealing flexibility, but it lacks sufficient structural support and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs composite construction by integrating resilient sealing material with reinforcement elements. The reinforcement, made from material with lower resilience than the seal body, is positioned within reliefs of the inner and outer walls to provide structural support while allowing the resilient material to maintain its sealing flexibility.
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 effectively maintains a fluid-tight seal across multiple surfaces, including inner diameter, outer diameter, and face surfaces, while allowing for lateral movement of components without damage to the seal.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid pressure is applied to a space between the channel and the seal so as to urge the upper seal surface into sealing contact with a surface on the second component
Implementation Method 2
The seal body comprises an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A seal includes a seal body formed as a closed loop. The seal body having an upper surface and a lower surface. The seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises an inner wing and an outer wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide lateral sealing. The upper surface of the seal is configured to provide a sealing contact when the seal is urged into engagement via a fluid pressure.