Nested Chevron Seal Rings for Low-Friction Pipe Ball Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ball and socket-type dynamic joints in pipe connections face high friction during assembly, complicating the internal joint design and seal design, which inhibits the motion and requires an improved seal with reduced friction and enhanced sealing under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A pipe ball joint design featuring a casing with a spherical interior surface and an annular groove, utilizing a seal assembly of nested chevron-shaped seal rings with tapered surfaces and a retainer to reduce friction and improve sealing, allowing axial compression and radial expansion for effective sealing against misaligned pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ball and socket-type dynamic joint is used to connect misaligned pipes, then the joint can accommodate pipe movement and prevent over-stressing, but the friction between seal components becomes excessively high, inhibiting the motion of the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple V-rings (first V-ring, second V-ring, third V-ring) that are nested within each other. Each V-ring segment independently contacts the ball segment, distributing the sealing function across multiple segments rather than relying on a single continuous seal, thereby reducing friction during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-rings are positioned at specific locations within the socket portion, with each V-ring having its apex oriented toward the center of the ball segment. This local positioning optimizes the contact points and pressure distribution, reducing overall friction while maintaining effective sealing at critical locations.
2Reliability
If traditional seal designs are used in ball and socket joints, then sealing coverage can be achieved, but the internal joint design becomes complicated and assembly friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The V-rings are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with the first V-ring containing the second V-ring, which in turn contains the third V-ring. This nested configuration achieves comprehensive sealing coverage while maintaining a compact and relatively simple internal joint design, avoiding the need for complex multi-component seal assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional continuous seal that contacts the ball segment along its entire circumference, the invention uses discrete V-shaped rings with apexes pointing toward the ball center. This inverted approach to seal geometry simplifies the internal joint design while maintaining reliable sealing effectiveness.
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 design achieves reduced friction during assembly and improved sealing under pressure, maintaining joint flexibility and effectiveness across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The seal assembly includes a plurality of nested seal rings that are chevron-shaped in cross section. The concave face includes a recessed surface that can include a pair of tapered surfaces that terminate at a floor surface. The convex face includes a protruding surface that can include a pair of tapered surfaces that terminate at a peak surface.
Implementation Method 2
allowing axial compression and radial expansion for effective sealing against misaligned pipes
Data Source
AI summary
The pipe ball joint includes a casing having a socket portion with a substantially spherical interior surface and a first pipe segment extending from the socket portion. The socket portion has an annular groove disposed adjacent the partially spherical interior surface. A ball pipe section includes a ball segment received in the socket portion of the casing and a second pipe segment extending from the ball segment. A seal assembly is received in the annular groove of the casing and is disposed against the ball segment of the ball pipe section. The seal assembly includes a plurality of nested seal rings that each include a concave face and a convex face.